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Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) — Trichonotidae

Elegant sand diver

Trichonotus elegans
Family: Trichonotidae

The Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) is a saltwater fish of the family Trichonotidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

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Description

The Elegant sand diver is a sand diver (Trichonotidae) from shallow coastal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a very slender, elongate, translucent body with a pointed head and long dorsal and anal fins. It hovers by day above sand bottoms and hunts small zooplankton; when in danger it dives lightning-fast into the sand. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elegant sand diver?

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

Where does the Elegant sand diver live?

The Elegant sand diver lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Elegant sand diver get?

The Elegant sand diver grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Elegant sand diver dangerous to humans?

No, the Elegant sand diver is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) — Trichonotidae — 2
Ben Costamagna (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) — Trichonotidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) — Trichonotidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Kai Squires, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Elegant sand diver (Trichonotus elegans) — Trichonotidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Elegant sand diver sourced
Scientific name
Trichonotus elegans
Family
Trichonotidae
Other names
Elegant Sanddiver; Elegant sand-diver; Long-rayed sand-diver verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Trichonotus

More from the family Trichonotidae

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