| Lesser sand eel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Ammodytidae |
| Genus: | Ammodytes |
| Species: | A. tobianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ammodytes tobianus Linnaeus, 1758 |
|
The lesser sand eel or sand lance, Ammodytes tobianus, is a fish, which may be up to 20 cm long.[1] Its body has an elongated shape with a rounded cross section. The head is also elongated and pointed, and it contains a sharp prominent lower jaw. [1] The upper jaw overlaps, and can open forward to form a tube. The top of the fish's mouth lacks teeth.[1] The scales of the belly make a hevron pattern. Moreover, the pectoral fins are small and low set, though pelvic fins are lacking.[1] Its caudal fin is bifurcated in shape. The skin color can be pictured as greenish yellow on the back, to yellow on the upper sides, and a mixture of a brilliant silver on the lower sides and belly.[1]
Breeding, can vary to which race they are native, and usually happens from February to April, or from September through into November.[1] Adult forms become mature in 1 to 2 years (8cm+), and will live 7 years or more.[1] It habitates from mid-tide level below to around 30m in inshore waters, that have clean and sandy bottoms. It is commonly found swimming in huge shoals that rapidly burrows in sand if alarmed.[1]
It eats on planktonic species of fish, crustaceans, and other smaller invertebrates.[1] In addition, it is found all throughout the coasts of the British Isles.[1]