Sand Lance

Sand Lance

Ammodytes americanus

Size: to 8"

Habitat: inshore waters, from surface to bottom

Notes: The Sand Lance is an important link in the marine food chain. It is a major part of the diet of many commercially important fishes, as well as whales and seals. Sand Lances form huge schools to feed on phytoplankton and have the ability to dive into the bottom sediments to escape predators. I have never seen a live one, but they are common in the bellies of other fishes that you may catch.

Sand Lance
Schooling Sand Lances
Sand Lance

Shipwreck Manasquan Wreck
A Black Ball packet ship ( Orpheus ) leaving New York, 1835. Note the Black Ball insignia on the fore-topsail.
Type:
shipwreck, sailing ship, USA
Built:
1816, New York NY, USA
Specs:
382 tons
Sunk:
Saturday April 24, 1824
ran aground in a fog - no casualties
Depth:
30 ft