New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine 🌡️ Tropical

Colombian sand eel

Bascanichthys gaira Bendeck, 2016
Max Length
47.7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Colombian sand eel (Bascanichthys gaira) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ophichthidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 47.7 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator.

Scientific Name
Bascanichthys gaira
Authority
Bendeck, 2016
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Max Length
47.7 cm
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
29.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

This species isi distinguished by the following characters: elongate, markedly bicolored, dark brown dorsally and light brown almost cream ventrally, head and snout are dark, fins pale without marks, sex unrecognized; proportions as % of TL: head 4.6-5.3, trunk 47.9-51.7, tail 43.8-47.9; depth (at gill opening) 1.2-1.5; depth (at anus) 1-1.1; predorsal length 2.1-2.4; snout 12.4-12.7; eye 4.1-5.5; interorbital width 6.9-9.7; pectoral-fin length 6.4-7.0 mm; pores SO 1 + 3, IO 4 + 2, POM 4 + 2, STC 3; pectoral fin minute, its base corresponding to 12.3-24.7% of gill-opening length; uniserial mandibular teeth .Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Colombian sand eel is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Colombian sand eel is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Colombian sand eel is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Tropical Central Atlantic: Caribbean, Colombia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00093 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
47.7cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
29.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Bendeck, 2016

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Colombian sand eel ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.