Domain |
   Eukarya |
Kingdom |
   Animalia |
Phylum |
   Chordata |
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. |