Synodus indicus (Day, 1873)
Indian lizardfish
photo by Field, R.

Family:  Synodontidae (Lizardfishes), subfamily: Synodontinae
Max. size:  33 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 20 - 100 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: southern Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 4055) to southern India and Sri Lanka. One specimen is known from the Philippines. Also reported from Indonesia and northwestern Australia (Ref. 5978).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Body dusky pink above, with pale blue-grey blotches and stripes; 2 black streaks at upper edge of operculum; caudal fin yellow in color; some with dark blotches along lateral line (Ref. 11228).
Biology:  Found on current-prone (Ref. 48635) sand or mud bottoms (Ref. 11228), usually in depths of 20 m or more. Usually buries itself in the sand (Ref. 48635). Sold fresh and dried salted in markets.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 June 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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