Sand lances that are any of several small marine fish of the genus Ammodytes, having a slender body with a forked tail fin and often burrowing in the sand of tidelands.

There are twelve-known species of bottom-dwelling marine teleost fish (Perciformes) usually found in large schools over sandy sediments from low water to 150 meters with elongated bodies, pointed heads, and with prolonged lower jaws.

They do not have teeth or pelvic fins.