Pacific sand lance
📖 Overview
May occur in large schools near the surface both inshore and offshore, but also buries itself in sand . Inshore, found from intertidal to subtidal areas . Offshore, found near the surface over deep water . Benthic . Juveniles and adults feed on zooplankton . Utilized dried or salted and frozen; sometimes targeted as a raw material for fishmeal; eaten fried .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 58 - 63; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 28 - 31; Vertebrae: 68 - 72. Resembles A personatus in body shape but distinguished by its numerous dorsal fin rays (58 to 63 against 55 to 59) an vertebrae (68 against 67), and larger eyes. Lateral plicae 144 to 161.: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific sand lance is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pacific sand lance is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 275 m , usually 30 - 100 m . Temperate; 63°N - 32°N, 145°E - 21°W Northwest to Northeast Pacific: Arctic Alaska to the Sea of Japan and Balboa Island, southern California, USA.
🌿 Ecology
zooplankton (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific sand lance is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.3 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 425 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific sand lance has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Arctic sand lance · Pacific sand lance |
| 🌍CES | smaček pacifický |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Stillehavstobis |
| 🇫🇷French | lançon arctique · lançon gourdeau |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kitaikanago · キタイカナゴ |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Dobijak pacificzny · dobijak pacyficzny |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Дальневосточная многопозвонковая песчанка · Дальневосточная песчанка · Тихоокеанская песчанка |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammodytes alascanus | Cope | 1873 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 37 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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