Greater sand-eel

D-Grosser Sandaal; GB-Great sand eel; DK-Tobiskonge; PL-Dobijak; LT-Didysis tobis; LV-Nigliŋš; EST-Suurtobias; RU-Песчанка болшая; FIN-Isotuulenkala; S-Kungstobis

Characters

1) Black spot (slightly smaller than the eye) above middle of upper jaw.
2) Elongated head with pointed mouth and protruding lower jaw.
3) Tip of pectoral fin only reaching till dorsal fin.
●) No pelvic fins.
●) Body colouration silvern; back blueish-green.
Usually 20 to 30 cm, max. up to 40 cm length.

Similar species

Small sand-eel - no black spot above middle of upper jaw; tip of pectoral fin extending slightly over origin of dorsal fin.

Lesser sand-eel - no black spot above middle of upper jaw; tip of pectoral fin extending slightly over origin of dorsal fin.

Biology

Lives in coastal near waters and estuaries mainly on sandy grounds down to 60 m depth. Spawns in summer.

Diet

Feeds on zooplankton; from a length of 10 cm on feeds on smaller fish.

Importance

Is processed to large amount of fish meal. Of great importance as nutrient for bigger fish and sea birds.