Family: AMMODYTIDAE, Sandlance, Sandlances
very elongate
long, pointed snout
long, pointed snout
D long; A short, under rear of D
fins without spines
fins without spines
lower jaw projecting
pelvics small/absent
AMMODYTIDAE
SANDLANCES
The sand lances are small (to ~ 30 cm), very elongate fishes; head pointed, snout long; mouth small, opens at front, top jaw protractile; a projecting lower jaw; no teeth; a single low, very long-based dorsal fin, 40-69 rays; anal fin short based, under rear of dorsal fin; dorsal and anal fins without spines; pelvic fins small to absent; tail forked; lateral line very high on the sides (just below dorsal fin base); minute smooth scales arranged in oblique rows.
The family contains 7 genera with approximately 23 species. They inhabit both cold and warm circumglobal seas. A single species is recorded from and endemic to the Greater Caribbean.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER FAO
