Sand Steenbras

The sand steenbras is a small, elongated member of the seabream family, silvery in colour with a series of narrow dark vertical bars along the flanks and a long, pointed snout. That snout suits its feeding style: it roots over open sand and mud, sucking up worms, crustaceans and other small invertebrates from the sediment.

It is common in the surf zone, sandy bays and inshore shallows of the Cape and southern KZN coast, often in small groups moving over featureless sand near reef edges. Divers and spearos will recognise it grubbing head-down along the bottom. It is a modest but pleasant catch and its sandy habitat makes it a familiar background fish on many inshore dives.