Two dot lizardfish
Synodus binotatus
Special features
Its unique feature? Two black spots on the tip of the snout.
Appearance
These little guys have a cylindrical body with a pointed snout. Its base color is whitish with red marbling. You can easily recognize her by her mouth, which is oversized compared to her body size, with many visible pointed teeth.
Natural enemies
Predatory fish
Dangerous/Venomous
The two-spot lizardfish is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. Two dots
2. Red marbling
Pro tips
They are common where they roam, i.e. in lagoons and outer reefs. They are lurking predators: individually or in pairs, they lurk on hard floors or between corals, and when prey passes by, they push forward at lightning speed and swallow it whole. Sometimes they climb up a few meters vertically to surprise and devour their prey from below.
Although they are lurking hunters, they change positions every few minutes.
They let considerate divers get quite close to them, flee quickly at the last moment and settle in lurking position a few meters away.
The different species are difficult to distinguish from each other underwater because they all look very similar.
Text: Carolina Leiter
Pic: Felician Hosp
Illustration: Dive Dict
