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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Indian lizardfish

Synodus indicus Day, 1873
Max Length
33 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.2
Depth
20–100 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Typical Length
12 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found on current-prone sand or mud bottoms , usually in depths of 20 m or more. Usually buries itself in the sand . Sold fresh and dried salted in markets.

Scientific Name
Synodus indicus
Authority
Day, 1873
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
33 cm
Depth Range
20–100 m
Trophic Level
4.2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
26.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 9 - 11. Body dusky pink above, with pale blue-grey blotches and stripes; 2 black streaks at upper edge of operculum; caudal fin yellow in color; some with dark blotches along lateral line .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Indian 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; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 100 m . Tropical West Pacific: southern Red Sea and East Africa (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
4.2±0.8

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.0049 × L3.19 (TL)
Max TL
33cm
Dorsal Rays
12
Anal Rays
10

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
26.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.2
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Day, 1873

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Indian 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

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 15.9 g
Omega-3 (total) 66 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Indian 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
Saurus indicus Day 1873 Synonym
Synodus dietrichi Kotthaus 1967 Synonym
Trachinocephalus indicus Day - Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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