brazilian lizardfish
Saurida brasiliensis
Lizardfish of the outer shelf bottom, between 50 and 194 m, mostly seen in commercial fisheries.
Also called: peixe-lagarto-brasileiro, lagarto brasileño, lagarto, brazilian lizardfish
- maximum
- 25 cm
- depth
- 50–194 m
who is the brazilian lizardfish
Fish of the family Synodontidae, with an elongated body and a large mouth with teeth. Reaches 25 cm. It lives on the bottom of the outer continental shelf, usually between 50 and 194 m, and can range from 18 to 410 m. It occurs in the western Atlantic, from North Carolina to Santa Catarina, Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It is mostly seen in commercial fisheries and is not a fish often seen in sport fishing.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the brazilian lizardfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Lizardfish of the family Synodontidae, with an elongated body, large mouth and pointed teeth, like the other lizardfish in the family. It lives deeper than Synodus synodus, which usually stays in shallow waters, 2 to 35 m. This species generally stays between 50 and 194 m. To tell them apart, look at depth and where it is found, not only at body shape.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs along the Brazilian coast, up to Santa Catarina, and also in Argentina, Uruguay, the Guianas, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Mexico and Nicaragua, on shelf bottoms.
Habitat: Outer continental shelf bottom, usually between 50 and 194 m deep.
coast
rules for the brazilian lizardfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Not dangerous to anglers. It has a mouth with pointed teeth, so hold it firmly when removing the hook. If it comes from bottoms as deep as 194 m, it can suffer barotrauma. Release it carefully.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00537, b = 3.1; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Saurida brasiliensis (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Saurida brasiliensisNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
