Sand whiff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sand whiff |
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The Citharichthys arenaceus, also known as the sand whiff, is a type of flatfish. It belongs to a group of fish called the large-tooth flounder family, or Paralichthyidae. This fish lives near the bottom of the ocean, which means it is a demersal creature.
Sand whiffs are found in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. They like to live in warm, shallow waters along the coast. You can also find them in places like estuaries (where rivers meet the sea), bays, and lagoons. Their home range stretches from Florida in the United States, all the way south to the West Indies and Brazil.
Like other large-tooth flounders, the sand whiff has a unique look. Both of its eyes are on the left side of its head! This fish can grow to be about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long.
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About the Sand Whiff
The sand whiff is a fascinating fish that spends its life on the seafloor. It's perfectly adapted to blend in with its sandy surroundings. This helps it hide from predators and sneak up on its prey.
What the Sand Whiff Looks Like
The sand whiff is a flatfish, which means its body is very thin and flat. It looks a bit like a pancake swimming through the water! Its most unusual feature is its eyes. Unlike most fish, both of the sand whiff's eyes are on one side of its head. This helps it see what's above it while it lies flat on the bottom.
The color of a sand whiff can change to match the sand or mud it's resting on. This amazing camouflage makes it very hard to spot. It can grow up to 20 centimeters long, which is about the length of a standard ruler.
Where the Sand Whiff Lives
Sand whiffs are found in the warm, tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. They prefer shallow areas close to the shore. This includes sandy bottoms in coastal waters, as well as sheltered places like bays and lagoons. They also live in estuaries, which are areas where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the ocean.
Their range extends quite far. You can find them from the coast of Florida in the United States, down through the islands of the Caribbean, and along the coast of Brazil in South America.
What the Sand Whiff Eats
As a bottom-dwelling fish, the sand whiff mostly eats small creatures it finds in the sand or mud. This can include tiny crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, as well as small worms and other invertebrates. It uses its camouflage to wait patiently for prey to come close.
- Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Citharichthys arenaceus" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
See also
In Spanish: Citharichthys arenaceus para niños
