???? What’s That Slender Fish? Sand Lances, Bay Pipefish, and Tube Snouts! ????

Out on the coast of Vancouver Island, we often come across some long, skinny fish that can be tricky to tell apart! Here’s a quick guide to spotting the differences:???? Pacific Sand Lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) – These little guys are fast-moving and silvery, often seen darting in schools. Unlike the others, they don’t have a swim bladder, so they’ll burrow into the sand to rest or escape predators!???? Bay Pipefish (Syngnathus leptorhynchus) – The ultimate master of disguise! Bay Pipefish look like floating eelgrass, with their long, stiff bodies and tiny upturned mouths. These relatives of seahorses rely on their camouflage to stay hidden.???? Tube Snout (Aulorhynchus flavidus) – Often mistaken for pipefish, these sleek swimmers are more active and have a small, pointy snout. Unlike Bay Pipefish, they move in open water and are often found schooling near kelp forests!A huge shoutout to our friend and fan Chris, @mullen_dives for helping us identify the Tube Snout in our last video! Cheers, Chris! #VancouverIsland #MarineBiology #MarineLife #UnderwaterPhotography #ExploreBC #PacificNorthwest #OceanConservation #WildlifePhotography #ScubaDiving #NatureLovers #beseaadventures