Fish can indeed prey on lizards. While not a primary food source for most species, instances of fish consuming lizards occur in various aquatic environments. This behavior is generally opportunistic, happening under specific conditions.
Fish That Prey on Lizards
Certain fish species are more likely to prey on lizards due to their predatory nature and physical characteristics. Largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides) are frequently observed exhibiting this behavior, known for their aggressive feeding habits and large mouths. Pike ( Esox lucius), another freshwater predator, may also consume lizards if the opportunity arises.
Larger catfish species also prey on lizards. These bottom-dwelling fish are often omnivorous or carnivorous, and some possess mouths wide enough to capture terrestrial animals that enter the water. Larger predatory catfish can be opportunistic feeders. Generally, the fish involved in such predation are larger, more aggressive species that are not particular about their prey when an easy meal presents itself.
Circumstances of Predation
Fish preying on lizards typically happens under specific circumstances, often driven by a lizard’s vulnerability near or in the water. Lizards, such as brown anoles (Anolis sagrei), commonly live near water bodies and may accidentally fall in. Flooding or heavy rains can also sweep terrestrial creatures, including lizards, into aquatic environments, making them accessible prey for fish. This makes the act of predation largely opportunistic.
Fish, particularly bass, may also strike at lizards out of aggression, especially when protecting their nests during spawning season. Lizards and salamanders are known to raid fish nests to consume eggs, prompting defensive attacks. The size difference between the fish and the lizard, along with the lizard’s struggle in the water, can make it an appealing and vulnerable target.
Is This Common?
Despite instances of fish eating lizards, this phenomenon is not considered a common occurrence in their natural diets. Lizards constitute a very small, almost negligible, percentage of the overall food intake for most fish species. The behavior is primarily opportunistic and circumstantial, dependent on a lizard inadvertently entering the water and a fish being present and inclined to strike.
Such events typically have minimal ecological impact on either fish or lizard populations. Lizards have various predators, and fish are just one among many, including snakes, birds, and other reptiles. The occasional consumption of a lizard by a fish does not represent a significant food web relationship or a major driving force in the dynamics of either species’ populations.