Scientific Name
Synodus intermedius

Common Name
Sand diver

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12. Side of body with about 8 cross-bands, widest at lateral line and extending downward; black patch on shoulder girdle (Ref. 13608). Brownish gray on head and upper trunk. Belly is light, black oval spot on shoulder girdle (Ref. 37039).

Classification

Classified By

Spix & Agassiz, 1829

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Grinners (Aulopiformes)

Family

Lizardfishes (Synodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Bermuda, North Carolina (USA) and northern Gulf of Mexico to Santa Catarina, Brazil (Ref. 57756). Most common lizard fish in the West Indies (Ref. 13442).

Range

37°N - 17°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

3 m

Depth To - meters

320 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 320 m (Ref. 9710)

Trophic Level

4.21 s.e. 0.72 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

46.0 cm

Common Length

40.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated