Ammocrypta is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fish, commonly known as the sand darters, which is classified in the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae which also includes the perches, ruffes and pikeperches.

The species in the genus occur in eastern North America in Canada and the continental United States.

They have the habit of burying into the sand or gravel bed of streams, only their eyes being visible.

[4] The shared morphological characteristics of Ammocrypta with its sister taxon Crystallaria include the possession of complete lateral lines and unbroken canal on the head.

They also share high meristic counts which are thought to be indications of basal morphology, referred to as plesiomorphies.