Many people mistakenly believe that Lizards Fish belongs exclusively in the ocean. But in truth, these creatures are more common in freshwater and some even find them in the saltwater as well. In fact, if you have a look under the right circumstances, you would be surprised to know that some of these creatures can even be found on land. If you want to know more about this, read on for some interesting facts about these unique creatures.
Unlike most other forms of fish, Lizards Fish came with distinctive characteristics. For example, unlike the common guppy or the common goldfish, these species are not known to display any kind of song. Also, unlike the common carp whose dorsal fin possesses a dorsal stripe, the ornamental and colored fin of these species does not bear any mark. They also have large, rounded black eyes that protrude out of their head. The lizard-like fish can generally be found in a shallow depth of between 3,500 to 8,500 feet under the surface, which means that people seldom see them. These species are extremely hardy and can live in conditions even inhospitable to other creatures.
Among the different species of this genus, the biggest in comparison to other kinds of fish is the giant cichlids. Also known as the Walking Fish or the Clouded Leopard, they are only a few inches in length, but they can weigh as much as seven pounds and can grow up to three and a half feet. Other kinds of terrestrial animals, which belong to the teleost fish family are the chub, the common bull shark, the common medusa, the Carolina shark and the small river sharks. Although these creatures differ in size, in terms of appearance and habits, these creatures are all members of the teleost fish family. They all belong to the family called Synodontidae which includes other kinds of aquatic reptiles such as the earthworms.
The average lifespan of a member of this genus is about one to three years. Some species grow up to five meters in length, which makes them the largest freshwater fish. These lizards can live for several years even without eating. Their color usually varies from being bright green, gray, orange, white or black, although in some cases, they can also possess orange, blue or gray coloration.
In addition to serving as representatives of different species of lizards, these creatures are also believed to be sacred to several gods. For instance, the Dogra crocodile fish is considered sacred to Brahma. In fact, several temples dedicated to crocodiles exist across the states of Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
However, there is no solid evidence as to what these creatures represent or any divine powers. According to popular belief, the Druids were the first people to recognize the value and importance of the Crocodile fish in tribal rituals. Several legends about the Druids claim that they believed the animal to be an animal possessed by the spirits of the dead. This led to the custom of cremation in honor of the dead.
Because of their exclusive diet of small fish, it is believed to be impossible that a lizard fish could ever prey on a large bird or snake. However, general descriptions of their behavior indicate that these creatures do in fact take down larger prey. For instance, some specimens have been observed to attack and catch hares, minks, crayfish, birds, frogs and fish. They generally make use of their powerful jaws and powerful bite to bring down their prey.
There is a lot of information that can be obtained about these fascinating creatures through books and journals. However, if you are a beginner and you do not know much about the general descriptions of these creatures, you will still do well to study different kinds of lizards in your local waters. As you get acquainted with various kinds of lizards, you will be able to tell them apart from each other and you will surely become a very knowledgeable angler.