Inshore lizardfish

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Inshore Lizardfish
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Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Aulopiformes
Family: Synodontidae
Genus: Synodus
Species:
S. foetens
Binomial name
Synodus foetens
(Linnaeus, 1766)

The inshore lizardfish (Synodus foetens) is a member of the family Synodontidae [1] found in the western Atlantic. According to the IUCN red list for endangered species, the inshore lizard fish "has most recently been assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2013. Synodus foetens is listed as Least Concern" (Russell et al., 2015). [1]

Contents

Description

The inshore lizardfish has a maximum length recorded of about 50 cm but lengths around 40 cm are more common. Their lifespan can be up to nine years. [1] The body of this species is elongated, similar to a cigar. [2] Inshore lizardfishes have a thin body that swims quickly and has a subcarangiform swimming style. [3] The heads of lizardfish are slightly compressed and the tops of their heads are wrinkly in nature. [4] The maximum weight has been seen as 900 g. [1] Females are generally larger than males when mature. [2] The shape of the mouth of this species is large and pointed. The snout is pointed. The top jaw extends beyond the eye. [5] They rely on their vision to spot prey from below so inshore lizardfishes have large eyes and rounded pupils. [4] Many slender teeth are present in the roof of the mouth and jaws. The lateral line is considered to be well marked. [5] The lateral line encompasses around 60 scales along the length. [2] The inshore lizardfish has no dorsal spines, 10-13 dorsal soft rays, no anal spines, 11-13 anal soft rays, and 56-62 vertebrae. [5] Inshore lizardfish have large dorsal and pelvic fins in comparison to their body to assist with steering. A large, pointed caudal fin helps to propel the fish forward. [6] The color of the dorsal side of the lizardfish ranges from various shades of brown to olive. The belly side ranges from white to yellow. Juveniles have dark spots, these spots are reduced/absent in adults. The sides of the inshore lizardfish have patches that are diamond-shaped. [2] These patches vary in occurrence and intensity, they usually fade with growth and usually occur at the midlateral line on the fish. [5] The dorsal fin is on the center of the back. An adipose fin is present in this species, usually showing a darker spot. [2] The adipose fin is small in size with the base of the fin being no longer than the diameter of the pupil. [5] The anal fin is usually equal in length or longer than the dorsal fin. [5] Larvae are slender to navigate the changing environmental conditions of their habitat. They have small pointed snouts and large eyes. Advantages like these help the inshore lizardfish detect prey through their senses and allow them to monitor their environment. [7]

Diet

The inshore lizardfish is an ambush predator. Its diet consists of various demersal fish and small invertebrates. [1] They include: shrimp, crabs, and cephalopods. [2] Because the inshore lizardfish reside in environments that have lots of changing conditions, the inshore lizardfish diet also changes with the conditions. In the Gulf of Mexico, specifically, the inshore lizardfish relies on certain species to get through the seasons. During the colder months, between November and February, inshore lizardfish mainly rely on two different species: U. parvus and L. pealei . During the rainier season, the inshore lizardfish was seen to rely on E. senta and L. pealei. [8] The inshore lizardfish is seen hunting in a wild manner where it lurches at its prey and then quickly finishes it off. There are records of inshore lizardfish that have shrimp, crabs, squid, sea urchins, and annelids in their stomachs, but other smaller fish are their main food source. Its diverse diet allows it to adapt to many different biotic and abiotic conditions and it has a large niche because of its flexibility. [9] In a study conducted in Florida about the parasites within synodus foetens, the digestive tracts and stomachs were observed in many specimens. In the article, "Parasites of the Inshore Lizardfish, Synodus Foetens, from South Florida, Including a Description of a New Genus of Cestoda", they found many species like, "Penaeus duorarum, a palaemonid shrimp, several species of small crustaceans, and the fishes Synodus foe tens, Anchoa mitchilli, Lagodon rhomboides, Eucinostomus argenteus, Sphaeroides sp.,Cyprinodon variegatus, Poeciiia iatipinna, Gobionel/us sp., a cyprinodontid, an atherinid, and others that were too digested to identify" (Overstreet, 1968). [9]

Habitat

An inshore lizardfish from the Florida Bay. Sportfish8.jpg
An inshore lizardfish from the Florida Bay.

The habitats for these fish include the bottom in shallow inshore marine waters, usually over sand or mud bottoms, including creeks, rivers, among seagrasses, estuaries, bays, and lagoons. [1] Adults have been found to be also in the open sea above continental shelves. [5] The inshore lizardfish has been found in temperatures ranging from 8.3-31.7 degrees Celcisus. It has also been seen to withstand a wide range of salinities, from 1.9ppt to 60 ppt. Biomass appears to determine their distribution in their habitat, smaller inshore lizardfish are found closer to shore while larger specimens are more offshore. [9] In areas like San Blas Archipelagos, Panama, the inshore lizardfish was found to be most abundant in numbers during the dry season. During these dry periods in tropical waters, lizardfish have demonstrated themselves as key members of their ecosystem and that they take on a strong predatory role. They have been abundant in tropical reef environments. [8] The inshore lizardfish has a great tolerance for changing conditions that would be detrimental for other species. Its capability of tolerating such a wide range of temperatures and salinities makes a strong case for the lizardfish tolerating our warming oceans and climate. Its wide range of prey also suggest that it has a large potential niche and that it could assimilate into a variety of different habitats if needed.

Reproduction and lifecycle

Fertilization has been observed to be external and they spawn all throughout the year. They do not guard their spherical-shaped eggs because the eggs are scattered in the water and instead are protected by nearby plants and rocks. [2] Lizardfish, belonging to the family of Synodontidae, have a unique lifestyle that has adapted to the ever changing waters in reef and shallow environments. According to a study by T. Lemberget about the environmental influences on lizardfish reproduction, “They have a bipartite lifecycle with a pelagic larval stage and a bottom-dwelling adult stage that can be reef-associated" (Harry et al, 2016).This essentially states that the lizardfish lifecycle is split into two different stages. The larval stage of the inshore lizardfish aids in the wide distribution of the species because they are influenced by the elements of the pelagic zone like heavy sunlight and choppy surface waters. To support their diet of crustaceans and benthic creatures, the inshore lizardfish transforms into its bottom-dwelling version. In order to study their distribution across the ecosystem, light traps can attract late-stage larvae of lizardfish. When lizardfish are in their late-stage larval period, they are said to be photopositive, or attracted to light. By collecting larvae in these light traps, scientists can understand distribution patterns in their ecosystem. [8]

Map of Hotspots of the Inshore Lizardfish Inshore Lizardfish Habitat Hotspots.png
Map of Hotspots of the Inshore Lizardfish

Distribution

The inshore lizardfish is widely distributed. This fish can be found over soft-bottom inshore areas, especially in the northern Gulf of Mexico [1] described as "in the western Atlantic from New Jersey south along the U.S. coast, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and in the Caribbean from Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and St. Martin" (Russell et al., 2015). Their adaptability to different salinity and temperature conditions and their versatile diets allow them to remain in large populations throughout the seasonal year. Because of their abundance, they are considered a stable species that does not face threats of endangerment or extinction. [10]

Importance to humans

This species is often captured during shrimp trawls. This occurs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. High mortality occurs from trawl bycatch for this species, but they are usually just discarded after being caught because they have little to no commercial value. [1] Inshore lizardfish is one of the most abundant lizard fish species, so it can provide a high nutritious diet for lots of people. In Eritrea, inshore lizardfish can provide a sustainable diet when crushed into food supplements for children. Along with maize and carrots, inshore lizardfish can be added to provide an extra bit of nutritional value for children when trying to stay within a low cost. [11] There is no current seasonal restriction for the inshore lizardfish because of its large abundance in numbers and availability throughout the year. Inshore lizardfish are caught by fishing pole because of their manageable size. Because of its size, the lizardfish contains many bones but has tasty white meat that is slightly flaky. [12]


Etymology

The generic name Synodus is from the Greek syn, meaning grown together, and odus meaning teeth. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synodontidae</span> Family of fishes

The Synodontidae or lizardfishes are benthic (bottom-dwelling) marine and estuarine bony fishes that belong to the aulopiform fish order, a diverse group of marine ray-finned fish consisting of some 15 extant and several prehistoric families. They are found in tropical and subtropical marine waters throughout the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longfin inshore squid</span> Species of cephalopod

The longfin inshore squid is a species of squid of the family Loliginidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deepsea lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The deepsea lizardfish, Bathysaurus ferox, is an aulopiform of the family Bathysauridae, found in tropical and subtropical seas across the world. The deepsea lizardfish should not be confused with the true or "typical" lizardfishes of the related family Synodontidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sand devil</span> Species of shark

The sand devil or Atlantic angel shark is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, native to the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. It occurs off the eastern United States, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and possibly in parts of the Caribbean Sea. This bottom-dwelling shark is found in shallow inshore waters in summer and fall, and deep offshore waters in winter and spring. The sand devil's flattened body and enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins give it a ray-like appearance. There is a band of enlarged thorns running along the middle of its back. It is gray or brown in color, with scattered small dark spots. This species reaches 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) in length.

<i>Synodus</i> Genus of fishes

Synodus is a genus of fish in the family Synodontidae found in Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Variegated lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The variegated lizardfish is a lizardfish of the family Synodontidae found in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, at depths from 4 to 90 m. It can reach a maximum length of 40 cm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great barracuda</span> Species of fish

Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of barracuda: large, predatory ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese whiting</span> Species of fish

The Japanese whiting, also known as the Japanese sillago or Shiro-gisu, is a common species of coastal marine fish belonging to the smelt-whiting family, Sillaginidae. As suggested by its name, the Japanese whiting was first recorded from Japan in 1843, but has subsequently been found to extend to Korea, China and Taiwan.

<i>Synodus intermedius</i> Species of fish

Synodus intermedius, the common sand diver, is a species of fish in the lizardfish family, the Synodontidae, a basal ray-finned fish in the class Actinopterygii. Sand divers inhabit subtropical marine ecosystems, (37-17°N), including sandy- bottom areas on continental shelves, coral reefs, estuaries, bays, and reef structures. They are demersal or benthic fish, which means they live on or close to the sea bed. Distribution ranges from the northern Gulf of Mexico south to the Guianas, and western Atlantic north to North Carolina and Bermuda. They are a common lizardfish in the West Indies. They grow to about 40 cm (16 in) total length, and weigh around 1 kg (2.2 lb).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The California lizardfish is a species of lizardfish primarily inhabiting the Californian coast. It has a long, brown body, which offers it camouflage in its habitat, the sandy bottom of the ocean. From its hiding spot on the bottom it ambushes small fish and squid. California lizardfish are oviparous and are believed to spawn in the summer months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smallscale lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The smallscale lizardfish(Saurida caribbaea) is a species of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Western Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The Atlantic lizardfish(Synodus saurus), is a species of lizardfish that lives primarily in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Synodus oculeus is a species of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Western Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sauro lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The Sauro lizardfish(Synodus lacertinus) is a type of lizardfish that lives mainly in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lighthouse lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The lighthouse lizardfish(Synodus jaculum) is a species of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Indo-Pacific.

The Inotted lizardfish is a type of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Eastern Pacific.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sand lizardfish</span> Species of fish

The sand lizardfish, clearfin lizardfish or variegated lizardfish is a species of lizardfish that lives mainly in the Indo-Pacific.

<i>Bathycongrus aequoreus</i> Species of fish

Bathycongrus aequoreus is an eel in the family Congridae. It was described by Charles Henry Gilbert and Frank Cramer in 1897, originally under the genus Congermuraena. It is a marine, deep water-dwelling eel which is known from Hawaii, in the eastern central Pacific Ocean. It dwells at a depth range of 300–686 metres, prefers deeper water and leads a benthic lifestyle.

Synodus macrostigmus, commonly known as the largespot lizardfish, is a species of fish in the lizardfish family, Synodontidae, a basal ray-finned fish in the class Actinopterygii. It is native to the warm temperate western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Synodus isolatus, the Rapa Nui lizardfish, is a species of small lizardfish that is endemic to the shallow waters of the southern Pacific Ocean around Easter Island.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Russell, B.; Polanco Fernandez, A.; Moore, J.; McEachran, J.D. (2015). "Synodus foetens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T16441698A16509727. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T16441698A16509727.en . Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Harry, Shivrani. "Synodus foetens (Inshore Lizardfish)." The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago . UWI, 2016. Web. 30 Apr. 2017.
  3. ↑ Sfakiotakis, M.; Lane, D.M.; Davies, J.B.C. (1999). "Review of Fish Swimming Modes for Aquatic Locomotion". IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Anderson, William W.; Berry, Frederick H. (2018). "Orders Iniomi and Lyomeri: Part 5 (Fishes of the Western North Atlantic)" . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
  6. ↑ SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble. "NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC. -NOAA Photo Library: fish 4494" . Retrieved November 10, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Okiyama, M. (1974). "The Larval Taxonomy of the Primitive Myctophiform Fishes". In Blaxter, J.H.S. (ed.). The Early Life History of Fish. Berlin, Heidelberg.: Springer. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Cruz-Escalona, V. H.; Peterson, M. S.; Campos-Dávila, L.; Zetina-Rejón, M. (December 5, 2005). "Feeding Habits and Trophic Morphology of Inshore Lizardfish (Synodus foetens) on the central continental shelf off Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico". Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 21 (6): 525–530. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2005.00651.x . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Overstreet, Robin M. (June 1, 1968). "Parasites of the Inshore lizardfish, Synodus foetens, from South Florida, including a description of a new genus of Cestoda". Bulletin of Marine Science. 18 (2). University of Miami – Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric & Earth Science: 444–470. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  10. ↑ "California Lizardfish". California Sea Grant. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  11. ↑ Kasimala, M.; Haileselassie, N.; Berhane, L.; Abraha, B.; Girmatsion, M.; Mahmud, R. (2021). "Formulation and Nutritional Evaluation of Instant Diet for Children Fortified with Inshore Lizardfish (Synodus foetens)". Caribbean Journal of Sciences and Technology. 9 (1): 75–83. doi:10.55434/CBI.2021.9101 . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  12. ↑ "California Lizardfish". California Sea Grant. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
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