Small sand-eel

D-Tobiasfisch; GB-Small sandeel; DK-Kysttobis; PL-Tobiasz; LT-Mažasis tobis; LV-Tūbīte; EST-Väike tobias; RU-Балтийская песчанка; FIN-Pikkutuulenkala; S-Kusttobis

Characters

1) Elongated head with pointed snout and protruding lower jaw.
2) Tip of pectoral fin extending slightly over origin of dorsal fin.
●) No pelvic fins.
●) Body colouration silvern; back blueish-greenish.
Up to max. 25 cm length, usually much smaller.

Similar species

Lesser sand-eel - irregular alignment of abdominal scales (vs. regular alignment in small sand-eel).

Greater sand-eel - black spot above middle of upper jaw; tip of pectoral fin only reaching till dorsal fin.

Biology

During day time buried in the sand; during night in shoals while searching for food. Spawns in winter.

Diet

Feeds on zooplancton and on big diatoms.

Importance

Important fish for the production of fish meal; about 1 million tons are processed in Europe each year. Of great importance as nutrient for bigger fish and sea birds.