The New Zealand sand diver (Tewara cranwellae) is a sandburrower, the only species in the genus Tewara, found all around New Zealand to depths of about 5 metres, on sandy or gravelly bottoms. Its length is between 3 and 8 centimetres.

The New Zealand sand diver is a small cylindrical fish with a pointed snout, a distinctive undershot lower jaw, and small bulbous eyes that swivel independently. They are pale yellow with black markings and the dorsal and anal fins are equal sized. They spend much of their time buried in sand or gravel with just the tip of the snout and eyes showing, and if they are disturbed they dart to rebury themselves at a new site. They move so fast it is almost impossible follow them, and in consequence are hardly ever seen.

References

• Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8

Creediidae | New Zealand endemic marine fish