What do sand eels eat?

Sand eels are planktonic feeders, meaning they eat tiny organisms that drift in the water. Their diet primarily consists of:

* Copepods: These are small crustaceans, a common food source for many fish.

* Other zooplankton: This includes tiny animals like foraminifera, radiolarians, and some larval fish.

* Phytoplankton: These are microscopic algae, which sand eels sometimes consume, especially when copepod populations are low.

Sand eels filter the water through their gills to capture their prey, and their mouths are adapted for efficient plankton capture.

It's important to note that their diet can vary slightly depending on their location and the availability of specific prey.