SanddiverTrichonotus

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.