The maximum recorded length of the Synodus dermatogenys as an unsexed male is about 24 centimeters or about 9.44 inches.

This species is native to the areas of Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Hawaiian, Line, Marquesan, Tuamoto islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Lord Howe, Micronesia, Southeast Atlantic, Algoa Bay, and South Africa.

It is common to find this species in sand-rubble areas of lagoon and seaward reefs to over 20 meters of benthic depth.

[3] Sand lizardfish is a predator of small fish and crustaceans, its mouth is full of sharp needle-like teeth.

[5] However, Waples and Randall (1989) showed that S. variegatus is a senior synonym of S. englemani, and that S. dermatogenys is the correct name for the lizardfish that Cressey (1981) identified as S.