TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Embiotocidae (Surfperches)
Genus/species: Embiotoca lateralis
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Striped Surfperch is reddish orange with brilliant neon blue stripes and iridescent blue streaks and spots on head and gill cover. Fins are coppery; dark areas on anterior part of rayed dorsal, base of caudal fin, anterior part of anal, and distal halves of pelvic fins.
Length up to 38 cm (15 inches)
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Subtropical. Wrangell, Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico along rocky coasts and kelp forests, estuarine eelgrass beds, occasionally in sandy surf near rocks.
Depth to 21 m (65 ft).
DIET IN THE WILD: Feeds only during the day on amphipods (crustacea, shrimp-like in form), shrimps, crabs, worms, other small benthic invertebrates, fish eggs and larvae.
REPRODUCTION: Fertilization internal. Viviparous. Mature at 2–3 years (~25cm). Females produce 11–92 young per litter.
LONGEVITY: Up to 10 years.
PREDATORS: E. lateralis is preyed upon by rockfish, fished commercially, also by sportfishers and speared by divers.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated
REMARKS: Primarily uses pectoral fins to swim followed by the caudal fine if increased speed ids needed..
References
Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3236211065/in/set-72157608348783942/
California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Coastal Reef 2017
fishbase fishbase.org/summary/3629
Ron’s WordPress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-Cg
eol eol.org/pages/207198/details