---
title: Sanddiver (Trichonotus)
scientific_name: Trichonotus
common_name: Sanddiver
rank: Genus
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:12:02.194Z
tags: Sanddiver, Trichonotus, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sanddiver
---

# Sanddiver (*Trichonotus*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Genus
- **Scientific name:** Trichonotus
- **Body shape:** Elongate - Long and slender, but still fish-shaped - trumpetfishes, needlefishes, cornetfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 1

## How to recognise this group

- elongated, slender body
- prominent, protruding lower jaw
- eyes set high on the head
- pale body with cryptic patterns of spots or bars
- hovers just above sand, quickly retreats head-first into sand

Sanddivers (Trichonotus) are slender, elongated fishes, typically reaching up to 15 cm (6 in) in length. They have a prominent, protruding lower jaw and eyes set high on the head, with pale bodies often displaying cryptic patterns of spots or bars. A lateral line runs along the central flank, distinguished by V-shaped notches on the posterior end of its scales. Males of many species develop noticeably elongated anterior dorsal fin rays, which gave the genus its name Trichonotus, meaning "hairy back".

These fishes inhabit sandy flats and rubble zones adjacent to reefs, from shallow lagoons to depths exceeding 50 m (165 ft). Often found partially buried in the sand, they hover just above the substrate to feed on small crustaceans and zooplankton. If threatened, Sanddivers quickly retreat head-first into the sand. While widely distributed, their cryptic nature means they are often overlooked.


## Species (1)

- [Red Sea Sand-diver (Trichonotus nikii)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sanddiver/red-sea-sand-diver)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sanddiver)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*