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Pacific Sand Lance. Ammodytes hexapterus is an inshore fish usually found in large schools. They are known as a &ldquo;bait fish&rdquo; and are preyed upon by larger fish, birds and mammals. This school has been compacted into a ball and forced to the surface by a Marbled Murrelet leaping into the air to escape their predator.<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/150860/cause_and_effect.html" title="Cause and Effect!"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2839/150860_thumb.jpeg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=t8GUHHniMKMhAJeqIh7jQd63hmY%3D" width="102" height="152" alt="Cause and Effect! The Cause, the Effect and the Spoiler!<br />
A Marbled Murrelet hunting a school of bait fish. They were doing just fine till a Glaucous-winged Gull came along and spoiled all the fun!<br />
I am guessing that the small fish were Pacific Sand Lances. Brachyramphus marmoratus,Canada,Geotagged,Marbled murrelet" /></a></figure><br />
Locals refer the Pacific Sand Lance as &ldquo;Needlefish&rdquo; due to their shape. <br />
 Ammodytes hexapterus,Arctic Sand Lance,Canada,Geotagged,Pacific Sand Lance,Summer Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Pacific Sand Lance.

Ammodytes hexapterus is an inshore fish usually found in large schools. They are known as a “bait fish” and are preyed upon by larger fish, birds and mammals. This school has been compacted into a ball and forced to the surface by a Marbled Murrelet leaping into the air to escape their predator.

Cause and Effect! The Cause, the Effect and the Spoiler!<br />
A Marbled Murrelet hunting a school of bait fish. They were doing just fine till a Glaucous-winged Gull came along and spoiled all the fun!<br />
I am guessing that the small fish were Pacific Sand Lances. Brachyramphus marmoratus,Canada,Geotagged,Marbled murrelet

Locals refer the Pacific Sand Lance as “Needlefish” due to their shape.

    comments (6)

  1. Really well done, Gary. Whilst it looks locally numerous, it seems almost nobody reports this species. Posted 2 years ago
    1. Thanks! Yes, we see so many either from our deck or from the nearby wharf and dock. I was surprised that they were a food source for humans as well. It would take quite a few to make a meal! Not the first time I have witnessed this happening but the first time so close to home. Posted 2 years ago
  2. That's incredible! Great spotting, Gary! Posted 2 years ago
    1. Thanks Christine! Posted 2 years ago
  3. How amazing. Great capture Gary Posted 2 years ago
    1. Thank you! This one is the best of many attempts. Posted 2 years ago

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Ammodytes hexapterus, the Arctic Sand Lance, is a species of Sand Lance in the Ammodytes genus.

Similar species: Perch-like Fishes
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View gary fast's profile

By gary fast

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jul 3, 2023. Captured Jul 1, 2023 09:03 in 315 Whaletown Rd, Whaletown, BC V0P 1Z0, Canada.
  • E-M5MarkIII
  • f/10.0
  • 1/400s
  • ISO250
  • 400mm