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Mitsukuri's sandlance (Bleekeria mitsukurii) — Ammodytidae

Mitsukuri's sandlance

Bleekeria mitsukurii
Family: Ammodytidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Mitsukuri's sandlance (Bleekeria mitsukurii) is a saltwater fish of the family Ammodytidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
56.0–217.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

Mitsukuri's sandlance is a slender sand lance from the northwest Pacific, off Japan. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a very elongate, silvery body with a pointed head. It schools over sandy bottoms of the continental shelf, between about 55 and 215 metres, and quickly buries itself in the sand when threatened or at rest. It feeds on small zooplankton. It is an important forage fish for larger fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mitsukuri's sandlance?

The Mitsukuri's sandlance has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mitsukuri's sandlance live?

The Mitsukuri's sandlance lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Mitsukuri's sandlance get?

The Mitsukuri's sandlance grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Mitsukuri's sandlance dangerous to humans?

No, the Mitsukuri's sandlance is harmless to humans.

Is the Mitsukuri's sandlance edible?

The Mitsukuri's sandlance is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mitsukuri's zandspiering verified
English name
Mitsukuri's sandlance verified
Scientific name
Bleekeria mitsukurii
Family
Ammodytidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
56.0 verified
Max depth (m)
217.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Ammodytidae

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