DONATE
Back to Fish4Life Project
Help improve Fish4Life

Fish4Life provides everything you need to enjoy seafood responsibly. Explore information and practical tips for safe and sustainable seafood consumption, and help protect marine life by reporting undersized or illegally traded seafood.

Lessepsian lizardfish
Saurida lessepsianus
Σαυρίδα Λεσσεψιανού

Sustainability Status

Sustainable food source

REPORT IT
Help us protect our seas by reporting illegal or undersized fish that you see in markets, restaurants or fishing boats
Good choice – Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable
Alien / Invasive – This species is not from this region and can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and threaten local biodiversity, so it is sustainable to eat

Legal

Minimum Size

–

Prohibited Consumption Period

–

Sustainable

Minimum Size

–

Avoid Consumption Period

–

Advice for Consumption

Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable.

Archipelagos Tips

Consumption of this species helps the ecosystem as it is an alien species!

Common names

FR

Poisson-lézard

it

Pesce lucertola lessepsiano

es

Lagarto de Lesseps

tr

Mırlan balığı

pt

Lagarto

nl

Lessepsiaanse hagedisvis

de

Eidechsenfisch

toxicity

This species is safe to consume.

iucn info

Least concern (LC)

Description

It has an elongated, rounded body with a slightly compressed caudal peduncle. The pectoral fins are moderately long, reaching around the area between the pelvic and dorsal fins. The upper edge of the caudal fin is marked with several blackish spots, while the underside of the body ranges from pale grey to dark coloration.

It looks like Saurida macrolepis (Largescale lizardfish), Saurida lessepsianus (Lessepsian lizardfish) was historically misidentified as Saurida macrolepis due to their close similarities.

Did you know?

The alien Lessepsian lizardfish entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, becoming increasingly common and distinguishable by its multiple rows of teeth!

Ecological Aspects

Diet

Carnivorous.
Feeds mainly on fish supplemented by decapod crustaceans.

habitat

Demersal.
Dwells in flat sandy or muddy substrates.

Max size & depth range

Max length: 28.2 cm
Max weight: 470 g
Depth range: 20-200 m

breeding & Growth

It breeds continuously or over prolonged periods throughout the year, with seasonal peaks varying according to water temperature and geographic location. In the Mediterranean, spawning typically occurs from spring through late autumn, with distinct peaks from May to July and again from September to November. In the Aegean Sea, the breeding period is concentrated from April to August. Growth Rate: Slow (k = 0.2yr⁻¹).

Longevity & presence

Lifespan: 2-3 years
Max reported age: 5 years
Distribution: Its primary native distribution spans the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean. Due to Lessepsian migration, it has successfully established populations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and expanded into the Arabian Sea.

appearance changes

It undergoes distinct morphological changes as it matures from a juvenile into an adult. These changes involve overall colour pattern and fin coloration. The body colour shifts from green or yellow tones to a silvery-white belly and a brownish-beige to dark back. The prominent, vivid vertical bands present during the juvenile stage generally fade, giving adults a more uniform appearance.

Reproductive Cycle

In the Mediterranean Sea, the Lessepsian migrant Saurida lessepsianus (Lizardfish) spawns in two prolonged periods per year, peaking in early summer and autumn. Females release between 20,000 and 60,000 eggs annually.
Facebook Youtube Instagram

Help improve Fish4Life!

How did you find Fish4Life?
Is there anything you would improve?
Is there anything else you would like us to add?

Thank you for your contribution. This project is built for the public and should be shaped by its community. We welcome your comments and any information you feel is important to include.

Spotted illegal or undersized seafood? Report it!

Upload a Photo
Date & Location
Where did you spot it?
Please let us know where
What is the name of the business or fishing vessel selling the seafood?
Description:
Additional information (optional)

Your contribution helps us document illegal and unsustainable fishing practices and protect our seas.

If you’d like to learn more about the work of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, please visit our website: https://archipelago.gr/

Good choice – Consumption of this species is currently considered sustainable

Illegal species – Fishing, selling and consumption of this species is illegal

Fishstocks – Declining due to overexploitation

Think before you eat – This species faces increasing pressures and should only be consumed responsibly

Bad choice – Consumption of this species is unsustainable

Health concerns –
Can accumulate dangerously high levels of toxic substances harmful to health

Alien / Invasive – This species is not from this region and can have a negative impact on the ecosystem and threaten local biodiversity, so it is sustainable to eat

Aquafarms – You will commonly find this species coming from aquafarms