Often found swimming in large shoals, that will rapidly burrow in sand if alarmed. Eats planktonic stages of fish, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates. This species of sandeel is very similar to the Lesser Sandeel above. It is distinguished by the fact that the belly scales tend to be irregularly arranged, and by having no scales on the lobes of the tail. The dorsal fin is composed of some 56 to 63 rays, with the overall maximum length of the fish not exceeding 25cm.
Colouration varies from the bluish green of the back, to the silvery sides and belly.
This is an offshore species of sandeel that breeds between November through into February, and may live anything up to 9yrs. It feeds upon worms, small crustaceans and plankton, including fish eggs and larvae.