Naked sand darter Naked sand darter The naked sand darter ("Ammocrypta beanii") is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae. It is found in the south-eastern United States. The naked sand darter is a small fish ranging in size from 40 to 50 mm long, the maximum being around 64 mm. Being a long thin darter, it is devoid of scales with the exception of a few rows above and below the lateral line and sometimes the caudal peduncle. Slightly transparent in life with a yellow color and iridescent operculum, the naked sand darter blends in with its habitat. It has darker bands
Operculum (gastropod) the shell of "Charonia tritonis" is a seal made by the Minoan civilization. Opercula of certain gastropods, especially varieties from the Red Sea, have long served as an incense material in ancient Jewish tradition, as well as Arabian cultures. The operculum of conch species "Strombus tricornis" and "Lambis truncata sebae" are most commonly used in regions near the Middle East. Opercula from these conches may be the onycha incense material which is described in the Book of Exodus. Operculum powder is also an important ingredient in Chinese and Japanese incense making. Here it is called ""bèi xiāng"" (Chinese: 貝香; "lit."