California Lizardfish
Synodus lucioceps

Physical Description

• A long, skinny, cylindrical fish.
• Flat, lizard-like head, with a snout that is almost triangular and long, pointed teeth.
• Mostly brown and greenish-brown coloring with copper lustrous coloring on sides and lighter gray belly.
• Lower jaw and fins are yellow.
• Juvenile fish are nearly transparent, scaleless, and have dark blue diamonds running along the belly.
• Adults grow to be up to 25 inches in length.

Range

• Cape Beal, British Columbia to Guaymas, Mexico.
• Gulf of California, Mexico.

Habitat

• Live in shallow, sandy areas.
• Common from depths of 5-150 feet, but up to 750 feet.

Reproduction

• They begin to spawn during the summer months when adult fish start to assemble in sandy patches.
• Spawning peaks in the fall.

Diet

• Squid, topsmelt, anchovies, krill, and other small fishes.
• They are ambush predators who sit on the bottom until prey swims past.

Predators

• California sea lions.

Interesting Facts

• Because of its appearance, it is often called the candlefish.
• The USS Lizardfish was a Navy submarine during World War II that successfully engaged in several battles. The sleek sub was named for the long, slender fish.

Sources: pierfishing.com; California Department of Fish and Wildlife; Dana Point Fishing Company

Photo: Herb Gruenhagen