Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (North Atlantic): Sand lance. [Ammodytes spp]

The systematic classification of the sand lances Ammodytes americanus and Ammodytes dubius is confusing because of overlapping meristic values. In this report, all sand lances in the North Atlantic area off the coast of the US are treated as a combined group (Ammodytes spp.). Sand lances occur in estuarine, open coast, dand offshore habitats. They are important prey to many commercially and recreationally valuable fish and marine mammals. Spawning occurs principally inshore between November and March. Larvae are found along the coasts to the edge of the Continental Shelf. Sand lances occur in schools of from tens to tens of thousands of individuals. They are planktivorous predators; copepods are their major prey item. To rest and to take refuge from predators, sand lances burrow into sand substrates. One to three-year-old fish dominate populations. Growth rate probably increases from the New York Bight to the Nova Scotia banks. Exploitation of sand lances off the Northeast coast of the US is presently only for baitfish.