Lizardfishes are slender bottom-dwellers with large mouths that lunge rapidly to capture unsuspecting prey.  Many species are difficult to positively identify without considerable experience.  Saurida have tightly-packed bristle-like teeth on the lips, Synodus has conical teeth separated by small gaps, and Trachinocephalus has bulging eyes set high and far forward allowing it to bury with just the eyes exposed.  These primitive fishes have a small spineless dorsal fin followed by a stubby flap of skin called an adipose fin on the caudal peduncle.  Lizardfishes are very bony and poor eating despite being easy to catch.  Large individuals attain a length of 1 foot.  Known as 'ulae in Hawai'i and eso in Japan.

ORANGEMOUTH LIZARDFISH

SLENDER LIZARDFISH

NEBULOUS LIZARDFISH

CLEARFIN LIZARDFISH

BROWN LIZARDFISH

VARIEGATED LIZARDFISH

TWOSPOT LIZARDFISH

Synodus rubromarmoratus

RED-MARBLED LIZARDFISH

BLUESTRIPE LIZARDFISH

JAVELINFISH

HOSHINO'S or BLACKEAR LIZARDFISH

DIAMOND LIZARDFISH

SERGEANT BAKER