FAMILY SYNODONTIDAE

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

• Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

• Ray-finned Fishes (Class Actinopterygii)

• Grinners, Lizardfishes, and Allies (Order Aulopiformes)

• Lizardfishes (Family Synodontidae)

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Family Synodontidae comprises the lizardfishes, a family of predatory ray-finned fishes found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate oceans worldwide. Lizardfishes are characterized by their elongated, cylindrical bodies, flattened heads, large mouths lined with numerous sharp teeth, and eyes positioned high on the head. Their appearance resembles that of terrestrial lizards, giving rise to their common name. Most species inhabit sandy bottoms, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and continental shelves, where they lie partially buried or motionless on the seafloor, waiting to ambush passing prey. They feed primarily on smaller fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods, and other marine invertebrates, using rapid bursts of speed to capture their victims.