The 'long-finned sand diver' or 'tommyfish', ''Limnichthys polyactis'', is a
sandburrower of the genus ''
Limnichthys'', found all around the
North Island of
New Zealand to depths of about 5
m, on sandy or gravelly bottoms. Its length is between 3 and 8 cm.
The long-finned sand diver is a small cylindrical fish with a pointed snout, a distinctive undershot lower jaw, and small bulbous eyes that swivel independently. They are pale yellow with black markings. The
anal fin is slightly longer than the
dorsal fin, and both fins are longer than the very similar
New Zealand sand diver. They spend much of their time buried in sand or gravel with just the tip of the snout and eyes showing, and if they are disturbed they dart away to rebury themselves at a new site. They move so fast it is almost impossible follow them, and in consequence are hardly ever seen.
References
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★
★ Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, ''Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand'', (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8