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Wandering sand lance (Ammodytoides vagus) — Ammodytidae

Wandering sand lance

Ammodytoides vagus
Family: Ammodytidae

The Wandering sand lance (Ammodytoides vagus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ammodytidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–35.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The wandering sand lance is a sand lance (Ammodytidae) from shallow coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate, silvery body with a pointed head and a projecting lower jaw. Characteristically it dives lightning-fast into the sand to escape predators or to rest; otherwise it swims in schools and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wandering sand lance?

The Wandering sand lance has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Wandering sand lance live?

The Wandering sand lance lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Wandering sand lance get?

The Wandering sand lance grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Wandering sand lance dangerous to humans?

No, the Wandering sand lance is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwervende zandspiering sourced
English name
Wandering sand lance sourced
Scientific name
Ammodytoides vagus
Family
Ammodytidae
Other names
Sandlance verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ammodytoides

More from the family Ammodytidae

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