Pile's Sandlance

Pile's Sandlance

Ammodytoides pylei
Pile's Sandlance

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family    Ammodytidae
Description    Sand lances
Environment    Marine
Etymology    Greek, ammos = sand + Greek dytes = diving
Genus    7
No. of Species    31
Order    Perciformes
Class    Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild    Nonguarders
Distribution    Arctic, Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Body elongate with minute cycloid scales. Dorsal and anal fin spines absent. Usually without pelvic fins. Lateral line running along dorsal. Toothless. Dorsal fin long; soft rays usually 40-69. Anal fin rays 14-36. Banchiostegal rays 7. Gill membranes separate. No swim bladder. Vertebrae 52-78. Maximum length 30 cm.