Species: Synodus foetens, Inshore lizardfish

Synodus foetens (Linnaeus, 1766)

Inshore lizardfish

Body relatively slender; snout triangular, with a rounded point, > eye, moderately long (27.1 (24.5-31.9) % head length); flap on front nostril broad & triangular; adipose lids around eye relatively narrow, eye appears relatively large; mouth large, extending well past eye, top jaw 61.1 (55-65.2%) head length; many rows of fine pointed teeth on jaws, tongue and (in 1 band) on side of roof of mouth; fins without spines; one dorsal fin 11-12 (10-12) in midbody, with a small skin-flap fin behind it above anal fin; pectorals 11-13, usually not reaching origin of pelvic fin; anal 12-13 (11-13) rays; length of anal fin base usually less than dorsal fin base; pelvics on abdomen behind pectoral base, 8 rays, inner rays distinctly longer than outer rays; 20-30 scales before dorsal fin on nape; 60 (59-63) lateral line scales; 5.5-6.5 scales between dorsal fin and lateral line; bases of short rays at top and bottom of tail fin completely scaleless.

Pale grey-brown; 6-8 indistinct dark marks, often with pale centers, along center of flank; rows of pale spots along upper side of body; often indistinct dark saddles across top of back; end of top of tail base with a dark spot; tail fin with dark rear edge and often dark lower lobe. Young: 6 -8 black Xs along side of belly before anal fin.

Size: 43 cm.

Habitat: typically in shallow inshore mud and sand bottoms, off beaches, in saltwater creeks.   

Depth: 1-200 m.

New Jersey to the central Caribbean.