Bleekeria mitsukurii Jordan & Evermann, 1902
Mitsukuri's sandlance
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Ammodytidae (Sand lances)
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 56 - 217 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: central Japan to the South China Sea. Recorded from Indonesia and northwestern Australia (Ref. 5978) and from the Chesterfield Islands (Ref. 11897); also occurs in the western Indian Ocean (Ref. 7068).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 37-42; Anal soft rays: 14-16; Vertebrae: 50-56. This species is distinguished by having teeth in jaws; scales on central part of body of equal length and height; when fresh caudal fin colouration dusky with black-edged yellow inner margin (Ref. 123825).
Biology:  Schools in shallow waters on sandy bottom, diving into the sand when threatened (Ref. 637). Probably taken by trawl net and handnet (Ref. 123825).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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