denise
10-31-2008, 05:46 PM
Sand divers (members of the Lizardfish family) have long cigar shaped bodies, of varying color (red through brown), that they can lighten and darken to match its background. They can be identified from other similar species by a dark spot on the upper end of the gill cover, and diamond shaped markings on their sides of their body. They also usually have a thin yellow/gold and blue lines that run the length of their body.
Sand divers have an enlarged upturned mouth with large jaw that extends beyond their eyes. Experts at camouflage, sand divers rest on the bottom of sandy or rubble-strewn areas, or on top of coral reefs where they patiently await their next meal. They capture and eat small fishes, crabs, shrimp, and small squid. Sand divers spend most of their time buried in sand or gravel with just the tip of the snout and eyes showing. If they are disturbed or frightened they dart away and bury themselves at a new site. They move very fast and not seen very often.
Sand divers are distributed across the Caribbean, from North Carolina to the Bahamas, and across the Gulf of Mexico. They are spotted occasionally around Florida.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/SandDiver.jpg
Sand Diver, Synodus intermedius, West Palm Beach
Photo courtesy of Bob Rosell
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/duskyjawfishfederico_1.jpg
Sand Diver in Key Largo
Photo courtesy of Federico Arismendi
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/duskyjawfishfederico_2.jpg
Close up of Sand Diver showing enlarged jaw
Photo courtesy of Federico Arismendi
Sand divers have an enlarged upturned mouth with large jaw that extends beyond their eyes. Experts at camouflage, sand divers rest on the bottom of sandy or rubble-strewn areas, or on top of coral reefs where they patiently await their next meal. They capture and eat small fishes, crabs, shrimp, and small squid. Sand divers spend most of their time buried in sand or gravel with just the tip of the snout and eyes showing. If they are disturbed or frightened they dart away and bury themselves at a new site. They move very fast and not seen very often.
Sand divers are distributed across the Caribbean, from North Carolina to the Bahamas, and across the Gulf of Mexico. They are spotted occasionally around Florida.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/SandDiver.jpg
Sand Diver, Synodus intermedius, West Palm Beach
Photo courtesy of Bob Rosell
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/duskyjawfishfederico_1.jpg
Sand Diver in Key Largo
Photo courtesy of Federico Arismendi
http://www.dayo.com/fishid/duskyjawfishfederico_2.jpg
Close up of Sand Diver showing enlarged jaw
Photo courtesy of Federico Arismendi