What is "sand eel"

Lant \Lant\, n. [Cf. Lance.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of small, slender, marine fishes of the genus Ammedytes. The common European species ( Ammedytes tobianus) and the American species ( Ammedytes Americanus) live on sandy shores, buried in the sand, and are caught in large quantities for bait. Called also launce, and sand eel.

n. Any of various species of slim fish, resembling eels, especially of the genus ''Ammodytes''.

n. very small silvery eellike schooling fishes that burrow into sandy beaches [syn: sand lance, sand launce, launce]

Sand eel or sandeel is the common name used for a considerable number of species of fish. Most of them are sea fish of the genera Hyperoplus (greater sand eels), Gymnammodytes or Ammodytes. Many species are found off the western coasts of Europe from Spain to Scotland, and in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas.

The three genera listed above all fall within the family Ammodytidae, the sand lances. Members of these genera found in other oceans are not usually called sand eels, and species from other parts of the world are known as sand eels are usually less closely related. None of the sand eels is related to the true eels.

Sand eels are an important food source for seabirds, including puffins and kittiwakes.