Sandeels

Sandeels are a group of marine fish belonging to the family Ammodytidae. They are elongated, slender fish that are found in temperate and cold waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Sandeels are characterized by their smooth, scaleless bodies and a protruding lower jaw. They typically inhabit sandy or gravelly seabeds where they can bury themselves for protection from predators and for resting. Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms, which they find by digging in the sand. Sandeels are an important part of the marine food web, serving as a primary food source for a variety of seabirds, seals, and larger fish. They are often found in large schools, which can make them vulnerable to fishing. While not a major commercial fishery in many regions, sandeels are sometimes caught for bait and occasionally for human consumption. Their ecological role as a forage fish makes them significant to the health of marine ecosystems.