Tag Archive: subtropical


4-6-19 Barred Surfperch from Ron’s Rocky Coast Marine Series

Filed under: Subtropical Marine — Leave a comment
May 6, 2019

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Embiotocidae (Surfperches)

Genus/species; Amphistichus argenteus  

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Surfperches are compressed and oval to oblong shaped bodies. The dorsal fins are continuous. The caudal (tail) fin is forked. Base coloration is usually silver, and some species have stripes or bars, which may be dependent on the time of year.
The Barred Surfperch travels in small groups. They are silvery or white; 8–10 rust-colored vertical bars on side with spots in between and no red on their fins.

Length up to 43 cm, max (17 inches), Max published weight: 2,000 g (4.4 pounds).

5037561446_e6139abb45_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: A. argenteus are found in Bodega Bay, California to northern central Baja California near sandy beaches in surf and in trawl catches up to 73 m. (240 feet).

DIET IN THE WILD: They feed on crabs; clams, and other invertebrates. Primarily food are sand crabs found in over 90 percent of all stomachs containing food, and made up over 90 percent of the food by volume in a study by University of California. (content.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt2f59n5cq;NAAN=13030&do…)

Barred Surfperch5037562334_42d46250cd_b

REPRODUCTION: As with all surfperch, the young are born alive and are relatively large. Mating occurs during the fall and early winter months. The male approaches the female from below; both swim with vents close for 2 or 3 seconds, then separate and repeat the process. Three to 17 young are born the following spring and summer.

 MORTALITY/LONGEVITY: Life span: to 9 years.

 CONSERVATION: IUCN: Not evaluated.

 REMARKS: The Barred Surfperch is an important part of the sport fishery for most surf fishermen in California. Anglers use sand crabs, sandworms, blood worms, shrimp, squid, cut fish.

References

California Academy of Sciences, Steinhart Aquarium, Rocky Coast Main Tank 2019

Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/5037561446/in/album-721…

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  https://fishoncomputer.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5029&action=edit&message=10

Peterson Field Guides, Pacific Coast fishes. Eschmeyer and Hearld 1983

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3622

eol eol.org/pages/225747/details

 

 

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8-16-17 Black and Yellow Rockfish California Coastal Marine Series

Filed under: TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
August 16, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes0
Order: Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and flatheads)
Family: Sebastidae (Rockfishes, rockcods and thornyheads)

Genus /Species; Sebastes chrysomelas

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: S. chrysomelas is dark brown-black with irregular clear yellow blotches on its back, lateral line and lower sides. Clear areas tend to run together on the lower sides with a yellow patch on membranes between anterior dorsal spines.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Eureka, California to Isla Natividada, Baja California, Mexico.
The Black and Yellow Rockfish is marine,feeds on bottom (demersal)  and is considered a kelp forest or inshore rockfish species. It is found from the intertidal zone down to 37 m (150 ft) but are most common in waters less than 18 m (50 ft) in kelp beds and rocky areas.

DIET IN THE WILD: It is a nocturnal feeder, ambushing its prey between dusk and dawn.

REPRODUCTION: Viviparous, live-bearing, fish. Females mature between 3 and 6 years of age and males between 3 and 4 years of age.

LONGEVITY: 22 years

CONSERVATION: Not Evaluated

REMARKS: Gopher rockfish are extremely closely related to the Black and Yellow Rockfish. S. chrysomelas is darker brown with yellow patches, and tends to prefer shallower water. S. carnatus (Gopher rockfish) has pinkish spots on a brown background, The two types are apparently genetically indistinguishable, and may represent a single species with two color morphs.

 References: 

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/35639373843/in/dateposted-public/

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Coastal Marine 2017

Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608333101710/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3959

Ron’s WordPress shortlink wp.me/s1DZ4b-2497

ADW animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sebastes_chrysomelas/classif…

http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1hp

 

Taken 10-9-2008, 10-4-12, 10-29-2014

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8-1-17 Striped Surfperch from Ron’s California Coastal Marine Series

Filed under: Subtropical Marine — Leave a comment
August 1, 2017

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

 

 

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