Sand Diver (Lizardfish)
Scientific Name: Synodus intermedius

• Common throughout Virgin Islands Waters
• Thought to be the most abundant of local lizardfishes

SIZE
4 inches to 18 inches

DEPTH
I have most commonly observed them at depths 25 to 80 feet, but also at sea level in local tide pools and nearshore shallow areas fringing mangrove lagoon estuary outlets.
(It has been observed as deep as 600 feet in the Gulf of Mexico, according to IUCN.org).

HABITAT
Mostly rough sand and pebble flats, sometimes rest atop coral reefs.

FOOD
Ambush hunter that often buries itself in sand so that just its head pokes up.
Goes after shrimp and small fish, even at cleaning stations.

TAXONOMY
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Aulopiformes
Synodontidae

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