California Lizardfish
Synodus lucioceps
Gracile lizardfish
Saurida gracilis
About
Lie still on the sand near a reef, and you might spot this lizard-shaped ambush hunter waiting for its next meal. The gracile lizardfish grows to about 32 cm. It spends its days almost still on the bottom, blending into sand and silty reef before it strikes.
Also known as: graceful lizardfish, gracile saury, slender grinner, slender lizardfish, gracile lizardfish, slender saury, gracile lizardfish, slender grinner, slender lizardfish, slender lizard fish, graceful lizardfish, gracile saury, lizardfish, greater lizardfish, lizard fish, slender saury, gracile lizardfish, clouded lizardfish, slender lizardfish, gracile lizardfish
- Length
- 32 cm
- Depth
- 1–12 m
How to tell it apart
Several lizardfish species share this same sandy, torpedo-shaped look, so body colour alone will not tell them apart. Check the fins: this species carries dark crosswise bands on its dorsal (back), tail, and pelvic (belly) fins, a combination other lizardfish do not share.
Appearance
A slender, lizard-shaped fish with a pointed head and a mouth full of teeth that stay visible even when it is closed. Its body is mottled to match the sand it rests on, with blackish blotches near the tail end. It reaches about 32 cm in length.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
