Inshore lizardfish
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 Synodus foetens
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| Synodus foetens L., 1766 |
The Inshore Lizardfish is a species of lizardfish that inhabits the east coast of the Americas. In shape they are elongated and can grow to 16 inches in length. The mouth is large and wide, the upper jaw extending beyond the eyes. The jaw contains many needle-like teeth, as well as on the tongue and roof of the mouth. The snout is pointed. The dorsal body color is often shades of brown to olive, while the ventral color is typically yellow to white. Young fish have darkly mottled sides which will fade as they mature.
The species are bottom-dwellers that will go as deep as 15 fathoms, preferring nearshore waters over sand and mud. They will also inhabit inlet areas in the Indian River Lagoon. Their range extends all the way from the south of Massachusetts to Brazil. This includes the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, the West Indies, and Bermuda. However, they are rarely seen north of South Carolina.
[edit] Source
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Inshore Lizardfish. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.
