Saurida gracilis
FAMILY
Synodontidae
TAXONOMY
Saurida gracilis Quoy and Gaimard, 1824, Hawaiian Islands and Mauritius.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Graceful lizardfish, slender grinner; German: Graziler Eidechsenfisch; Japanese: Madara-eso.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Grows to 12.4 in (31.5 cm). Has 11–12 dorsal rays, 9–10 anal rays, and 12–14 pectoral fin rays (usually 13). There are 50–52 lateral line pores. Head distinguished by several rows of villi-form teeth.
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical waters from the Red Sea east to the Hawaiian Islands, the Marquesas, Rapa Island, and Ducie Island; also from the Ryukyu Islands (Japan) south to southeastern Australia and Lord Howe Island.
HABITAT
This lizardfish is found in depths of 3–405 ft (about 1–135 m) but most commonly in shallow sand and rubble flats of lagoon and protected seaward reefs.
BEHAVIOR
Usually solitary but may be seen in pairs. Perches on ledges and rocks or buries itself in the sand or rubble. Reportedly active at night.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
An ambush predator that feeds upon smaller fishes near the bottom or at depths to 15 ft (5 m) into the water column.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
The reproductive behavior and ecology of this species are largely unknown; it likely engages in paired courtship and pelagic spawning just before or after sunset. Eggs and larvae are pelagic.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Taken only incidentally in subsistence, artesanal, or commercial fisheries. Not generally valued as a food fish but may be processed into fish meal, fish cakes, or other processed forms.
