Hawaii's Reef Fishes

Lizardfishes (Synodontidae)

Aptly named for their reptile-like head, lizardfishes have a large mouth and numerous needle-like teeth; even the tongue has teeth.

The body is cylindrical and moderately elongate. There are no spines in the fins; the single dorsal fin is relatively high with 10-14 rays; it is followed by the small so-called adipose fin; the caudal fin is forked; the pelvic fins are large with 8-9 rays.

Species of three shallow-water genera occur in Hawaiian waters; those of the genus Saurida have numerous small teeth on the side of the jaws which are visible when the mouth is closed; the species of the large genus Synodus lack such teeth.

Lizardfishes are usually found on sand or mud bottoms; they are able to bury themselves quickly in the sediment. All are voracious carnivores, darting rapidly upward to seize their prey of small fishes, shrimps, or squids. Seventeen species occur in the Hawaiian Islands, some of which are found only in deeper-than-diving depths.

Capricorn Lizardfish

Synodus capricornis (Cressey & Randall, 1978) 'Ulae

A series of 7 near-round dark brown spots with orange or red centers along lateral line; about 15 narrow reddish to orangish bars on lower part of body; scales above lateral line 5.5; lateral line scales 65-66. Reaches 9 inches (23 cm).

Known only from Easter Island, Pitcairn, and Hawai'i; therefore an apparent example of antitropical distribution. Generally found in more than 65 feet (20 m).

Twospot Lizardfish

Synodus binotatus (Schultz, 1953) 'Ulae

Two small black spots on tip of snout; 3.5 rows of scales above lateral line; lateral line scales 53-55; pectoral fins reach beyond a line connecting origins of dorsal and pelvic fins. Attains about 7 inches (18 cm). Indo-Pacific; few records from more than 65 feet.

All information and pictures in this section are from John E. Randall's Shore Fishes of Hawai'i by permission of the author.