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Illustration of Diamond lizardfish
fishing forecast

diamond lizardfish

Synodus synodus · full profile

location

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period

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the species

everything about the diamond lizardfish

how to recognize it

Elongated body with prominent reddish bands across the back. Like other lizardfish of the family Synodontidae, it has a wide mouth with pointed teeth and a lizard-like look. It lives in shallow waters and reefs, resting on hard surfaces, which helps tell it apart from Saurida brasiliensis, which lives deeper, usually between 50 and 194 m.

Also called: peixe-lagarto-diamante, guaripete, lagarto rojizo, diamond lizardfish

We don't have tips on season, bait or technique for this species yet.

Where to look: Shallow coastal waters and reefs, usually 2 to 35 m, on hard bottoms, and on the shelf down to 90 m.

In Latin America it occurs on the coasts of Brazil and Uruguay, in the Guianas, the Caribbean and Mexico, in shallow waters and reefs.

coast

North CoastNortheast CoastSoutheast CoastSouth Coastcoastalshelf

rules for the diamond lizardfish

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.

Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

estimated weight

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how we calculate

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00513, b = 3.18; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

more about the diamond lizardfish

Fish of the family Synodontidae, with an elongated body, reaching 43 cm. It lives mainly in shallow, coastal waters, 2 to 35 m, but also appears on reefs and the shelf, down to 90 m. It usually rests on hard surfaces rather than sand. It occurs in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and the coasts of Brazil and Uruguay. It is caught with various artisanal gear. For anglers, it is a reef fish of low sport value.

Family: Synodontidae · predator

in the kitchen

Reportedly good to eat, but little used.

similar species

sources and references (3)

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.

  1. scientific FishBase: Synodus synodus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Synodus synodusNames by country and language.
  3. 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.