---
title: Variegated Lizardfish (Synodus variegates)
scientific_name: Synodus variegates
common_name: Variegated Lizardfish
taxon: Lizardfishes
published: 2024-01-26T22:22:30.928Z
updated: 2026-08-20T17:09:45.079Z
tags: Variegated Lizardfish, Synodus variegates, Lizardfishes, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/lizardfishes/variegated-lizardfish
---

# Variegated Lizardfish (*Synodus variegates*)

## Quick facts

- **Group:** Lizardfishes (*Synodontidae*)
- **Size:** 40 cm
- **Depth:** 4-90 m

The Variegated Lizardfish (Synodus variegatus), a member of the Synodontidae family, is situated within the marine environments of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. This ichthyic specimen is known to inhabit waters ranging from 4 to 90 meters in depth. It is observed that this species can achieve a maximum length of 40 centimeters.

Morphologically, the Variegated Lizardfish is characterized by a cylindrical body with a head that is both broad and moderately depressed, complemented with a large and expansive oral cavity. The dental architecture comprises conical, barbed dentition, uniformly distributed on both jaws and all associated boney structures within the mouth. The robust and sizable pelvic fins of this species perform a critical function, acting as stabilizing structures when the organism is stationary on the substrate in anticipation of capturing prey. In terms of pigmentation, the Variegated Lizardfish exhibits coloration which ranges from shades of gray to hues of red, accentuated by distinctive hourglass-shaped markings upon its body.

In the scientific literature, there has been a historical misidentification within the Synodontidae taxonomy. The species Synodus dermatogenys was erroneously identified as S. variegatus. Conversely, the authentic S. variegatus was referred to as S. englemani Schultz, 1953 by a number of authorities, inclusive of Gosline & Brock (1960) and Cressey (1981). This taxonomical confusion was rectified by Waples and Randall in 1989 who elucidated that S. variegatus is in fact the senior synonym of S. englemani, and that S. dermatogenys is the accurately named species for the lizardfish previously designated as S. variegatus by Cressey (1981).

## Also known as

- **English:** common lizardfish, variegated lizardfish
- **Russian:** Красный ящероголов

## Scientific synonyms

- *Salmo variegatus* Lacepède, 1803
- *Salmo varius* Lacepède, 1803
- *Saurida rubrotaeniata* Liénard, 1891
- *Saurus englemani* (Schultz, 1953)
- *Saurus variegatus* (Lacepède, 1803)
- *Synodus engelmani* Schultz, 1953
- *Synodus englamani* Schultz, 1953
- *Synodus englemani* Schultz, 1953
- *Synodus houlti* McCulloch, 1921
- *Synodus variegates* (Lacepède, 1803)
- *Synodus varius* (Lacepède, 1803)

## Range

Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Federal Republic of Somalia, Indian Ocean, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Red Sea, Republic of Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/lizardfishes/variegated-lizardfish)*
*Updated: August 20, 2026*