California Lizardfish
Synodus lucioceps
Diamond Lizardfish
Synodus synodus
About
The diamond lizardfish is easy to miss until you are right on top of it. It has four reddish bands across its back, and it often lies still on the reef. It grows up to 43 cm, though most are closer to 20 cm.
Also known as: diamond lizardfish, redbarred lizardfish, lizard fish, redbarred lizardfish, red lizardfish, rockspear, lizardfish, lizard fish, gracile lizardfish, clouded lizardfish, atlantic lizardfish, redbarred lizardfish
- Length
- 20 cm · max 43 cm
- Depth
- 2–35 m
Habitat
Diamond lizardfish live in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Their range runs from the southeastern United States, through the Caribbean, down to South America, and around scattered islands toward West Africa. They like shallow, inshore water on hard bottoms rather than sand, often near reefs. They can range down to about 144 m, but divers most often find them resting still on rock or reef, from close to the surface down to about 35 m.
Did you know?
The diamond lizardfish likes to rest out in the open on hard rock or reef, rather than settling on sand.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
