Description: This species of sand eel reaches up to around 25 cm and has an elongated thin body with a forked tail. The jaw is pointed with the lower jaw obviously longer than the upper resulting in an underbite. The back of the fish is usually dark green, and the sides and underside are silver, with an overall silvery appearance. Usually seen swimming in shoals or buried in the sand.

Habitat: This species can be found both inshore and offshore, usually in large shoals. May bury itself in sand.

Distribution: Recorded around most coasts of Britain and Ireland, where there is suitable habitat.

Similar Species: Especially easily confused with Ammodytes tobianus. Sand eels can be extremely difficult to tell apart, and often cannot be distinguished in the field. Anything under 25 cm is likely one of the lesser sand eel species, while anything over 25 cm will be one of the greater sand eel species.

Key Identification Features:

• Long, thin silvery body.
• Length up to 25 cm or less.
• Forked tail.
• Pointed jaw with obvious underbite

Distribution Map from NBN: Ammodytes marinus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ammodytes marinus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Ammodytes marinus

WoRMS: Ammodytes marinus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ammodytes marinus Raitt, 1934. AphiaID: 126751.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Perciformes; Uranoscopoidei; Ammodytidae; Ammodytes