atlantic lizardfish
Synodus saurus
Lizardfish of shallow waters near islands, which eats other fish and is considered a sport fish.
Also called: peixe-lagarto-listrado-azul, guaripete azul, lagarto, atlantic lizardfish
- maximum
- 40 cm
- record/max.
- 0.3 kg
- depth
- 1–400 m
who is the atlantic lizardfish
Fish of the family Synodontidae, elongated, reaching 40 cm and weighing up to 300 g. It lives mainly in shallow waters near islands, on sand and mixed sand-rock bottoms, but can reach 400 m deep. It mainly feeds on other fish, but also on other animals. It occurs in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, and, on the other side of the Atlantic, from Morocco to Cape Verde. It is considered a sport fish and has a small commercial fishery.
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 atlantic lizardfish; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It can live down to 400 m, but usually stays in shallow waters, down to 20 m.
identification
Elongated fish of the family Synodontidae, with a large mouth and teeth, like other lizardfish. It usually rests on sand and rock, in shallow waters near islands. The popular name guaripete azul points to bluish tones on the body, which separates it from Synodus synodus, which has reddish bands on the back. Saurida brasiliensis, another similar species, lives deeper, usually between 50 and 194 m.
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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 in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, in shallow waters near islands.
Habitat: Shallow waters, usually down to 20 m, near islands, over sand and mixed sand-rock bottoms.
rules for the atlantic 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.
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.
No danger to anglers. Its mouth full of teeth calls for care when removing the hook.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00501, b = 3.14; 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: Synodus saurus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Synodus saurusNames by country and language.
