Mediterranean Sand Eel

Gymnammodytes cicerelus

The Mediterranean Sand Eel, Gymnammodytes cicerelus, is a slender, eel-like fish that can reach a maximum length of 17 cm. Its body is characterized by a circular cross-section, with a golden brown or greenish back and a silvery belly, while the head is typically dark blue. It also features ventrolateral skin-folds that extend well beyond the pectoral fins to the anus, and a branched lateral line. This species inhabits the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, including areas such as the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Sea, and extends from Portugal to Senegal. It is typically found over sandy or gravelly substrates, at depths ranging from 0 to 120 meters, although most occurrences are shallower than 80 meters. The Mediterranean Sand Eel is a demersal fish, meaning it lives near the sea floor. The conservation status of the Mediterranean Sand Eel is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers encountering this species may observe it over shell-gravel and coarse sand bottoms.