description Sand eel Overview
Sand eels are small, slender marine fishes in the family Ammodytidae. They commonly burrow into sand or other soft seabed material, particularly when resting or avoiding predators, and emerge to feed in the water column. Sand eels form an important part of marine food webs because large numbers are eaten by seabirds, larger fish, and marine mammals in the North Atlantic and nearby waters.
help Sand eel FAQ
Is a sand eel a true eel?
No. Sand eels are slender ray-finned marine fishes in the family Ammodytidae, not members of the true-eel group. The common name comes from their eel-like shape and habit of burrowing into sand.
How does a sand eel use the seabed?
It burrows into sandy or other soft seabed material when resting or avoiding predators, then emerges to feed and school in the water column. Many sand lances also lack a swim bladder, which fits their close association with the seabed.
What do sand eels eat?
They mainly feed on zooplankton, especially copepods, along with other small planktonic prey and crustaceans. Their feeding position helps move energy from plankton into larger fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
Why are sand eels important to the marine food web?
They are major prey for puffins, guillemots, cod, haddock, mackerel, seals, whales, and other predators. A decline in sand eel availability can therefore affect breeding seabirds and commercial fish that depend on them.
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