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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Brazilian lizardfish

Saurida brasiliensis Norman, 1935
Max Length
25 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
18–410 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Typical Length
15 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Brazilian lizardfish (Saurida brasiliensis), first described by Norman, 1935 is a medium-sized fish in the family Synodontidae (order Aulopiformes). Adults typically reach 25.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 18 to 410 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Synodontidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.

Scientific Name
Saurida brasiliensis
Authority
Norman, 1935
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
25 cm
Depth Range
18–410 m
Latitude
20°S – 36°N
Trophic Level
4.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
22.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Teleostei
Teleostei
Order
Aulopiformes
Aulopiformes
Family
Synodontidae
Synodontidae
Genus
Saurida
Saurida
Species
Brazilian lizardfish
Saurida brasiliensis

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Brazilian lizardfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Brazilian lizardfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 📦 Batch Spawner
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawn Location
Pelagic
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 18 - 410 m , usually 50 - 194 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 20°S Central Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.2±0.73

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00537 × L3.1 (TL)
Max TL
25cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2013

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
22.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Latitude Range
36°N – 20°S
Described By
Norman, 1935

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Brazilian lizardfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Brazilian lizardfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Brazilian lizardfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Saurida brasiliensis brasiliensis Norman 1935 Synonym
Saurida parri Norman 1935 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 757 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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