Sand divers

Scientific name : Trichonotidae

The family Trichonotidae includes only 6 species belonging to the genus Trichonotus. They are very long-shaped fishes, with cylindrical thin bodies, characterized by a jutting lower jaw. The dorsal and anal fins are extremely developed, and run from the head to the tail; the first rays of the male dorsal fin are free and may be extended. They possess also large and rounded pectoral fins. Mainly grey in colour, with a V-shaped notch at the posterior end of the lateral line.

Trichonotidae live in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region; they can be found in small groups, hovering in shallow waters, on sandy bottoms where they dive when disturbed (that’s the reason of the common name of “sand divers”). They feed on zooplankton.