Species: Synodus bondi, Sharpnose Lizardfish

Synodus bondi Fowler, 1939

Sharpnose Lizardfish

Body relatively slender; snout triangular & sharply pointed, > eye, and long (29 (26.3-37.2)% headlength); flap on front nostril narrow & tapering to a filament; adipose lids around eye relatively wide, eye appears relatively small; mouth large, extending well past eye, top jaw 62.9 (58-70.1%) headlength; 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 in midbody, with a small skin-flap fin behind it above anal fin; pectorals 12-14, not reaching origin of pelvic fin; anal 10-11 (10-12) 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; 23-25 scales before dorsal fin on nape; 60 (57-60) 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: 32 cm.

Habitat: On mud and sand bottoms, including shallow inshore areas and off beaches.

Depth: 1-208 m.

The central Caribbean to southern Brazil.