Synodus lucioceps (Ayres, 1855)
California lizardfish
photo by Shelton, J.

Family:  Synodontidae (Lizardfishes), subfamily: Synodontinae
Max. size:  64 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 229 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: San Francisco, USA to Cabo San Lucas and Guayamas, Mexico. Reported from British Columbia (Ref. 11980) and the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 5227).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-15; Vertebrae: 60-63. Most species are brown to gray or red dorsally and laterally and pale ventrally; some species have a pattern of dusky saddles, lateral spots, or bars (Ref. 35938).
Biology:  Perch motionless on pectoral fins in a wide range of habitats; commonly found on sandy bottoms or sand patches around rocky reefs and boulder and gravel strewn slopes. Active during the day. May bury in sand with only the eyes and mouth protruding (Ref. 5227). Feed on fishes (Ref. 9348). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35938). Extended larval period (Ref. 35938). Catches are either discarded or made into fish meal (Ref. 9348).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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