The maximum recorded length of the offshore lizardfish is about 25 centimeters (9.8 inches).

The offshore lizardfish is a marine species associated with reefs.

Its distribution in the Western Atlantic extends from North Carolina in the United States through the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Antilles to the Guianas.

[3] It is benthic, living along sandy and muddy bottoms.

[4] Common names for Synodus poeyi in other languages include calango, lagarto do mar, peixe-lagarto (Portuguese), chile barbado, guaripete, guavina, lagarto barbado, lagarto oceánico, manuelito (Spanish), and otogai-aka-eso (Japanese).