| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Synodontidae | Synodus foetens | (Linnaeus) | 1766 | Inshore Lizardfish |
All Synodus Species: Pelvic fin rays 8, the inner rays distinctly longer than outermost rays. Anal-fin rays 8-11; length of anal-fin base shorter than dorsal-fin base. No scales on procurrent caudal-fin rays.
Synodus foetens
Unique Characters: Scales in lateral line 54-65. Snout triangular and pointed, its length greater than diameter of eye. Anal-fin base slightly shorter to longer than dorsal-fin base. Tip of pectoral fin falling short of or just reaching pelvic-fin base. No dark spot on tip of upper jaw; predorsal scales 20-30.
Similar Species:
Synodus macrostigma, Largespot Lizardfish
Synodus poeyi, Offshore Lizardfish
Synodus synodus, Red Lizardfish
Source: FAO 2002.
Largespot Lizardfish, Synodus macrostigma. Scales in lateral line 43-52. Dorsal fin with anterior rays not extending beyond, but occasionally extending to tips of succeeding rays when depressed. Lower jaw rounded anteriorly, without fleshy knob. Black scapular blotch present on shoulder under gill cover. Caudal fin without prominent dark bars but with dark pigment on lower lobe. Pored scales in lateral line 45–48. Scapular blotch large and ovoid (length >14% head length). Anterior nostril flap large, tapering posteriorly and extending beyond posterior nostril when depressed.
Offshore Lizardfish, Synodus poeyi. Scales in lateral line 43-52. Dorsal fin with anterior rays extending to, or usually beyond, tips of succeeding rays when depressed. Lower jaw ending in fleshy knob. No black scapular blotch on shoulder under gill cover.
Red Lizardfish, Synodus synodus. Scales in lateral line 54-65. Snout rounded and blunt, its length less than diameter of eye. Anal-fin base much shorter than dorsal-fin base. Tip of pectoral fin extending well beyond base of pelvic fin. Dark spot present on tip of upper jaw; predorsal scales 15-18.
Synodus intermedius, Sand Diver
Sand Diver, Synodus intermedius. Scales in lateral line 43-50 (rarely 51 or 52). 4a. Dorsal fin with anterior rays not extending beyond, but occasionally extending to, tips of the succeeding rays when laid back. Lower jaw rounded anteriorly, without fleshy knob. Black patch on shoulder girdle under gill cover.
Reference:
Frable, B.W., C.C. Baldwin, B.M. Luther, and L.A. Weight. 2013. A new species of western Atlantic lizardfish (Teleostei: Synodontidae: Synodus) and resurrection of Synodus bondi Fowler, 1939, as a valid species from the Caribbean with redescriptions of S. bondi, S. foetens (Linnaeus, 1766), and S. intermedius (Agassiz, 1829). Fishery Bulletin 111:122–146. doi 10.7755/FB.111.2.2.
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