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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
Range
Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I.

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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. Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I.

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. 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Wandering sand lance sourced
Scientific name
Ammodytoides vagus
Family
Ammodytidae
Other names
Sandlance; Sand Lance 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
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Lord Howe I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Ammodytoides

More from the family Ammodytidae

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