Tag Archive: surfperches


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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4-20-19 Rainbow Surfperch from Ron’s California Coast Marine Series

Filed under: Subtropical Marine — Leave a comment
April 20, 2019

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

Genus/species: Hypsurus caryi

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Compressed and oval to oblong-shaped body. Base coloration is usually silver, and some species have stripes or bars, which may be dependent on the time of year (breeding vs. non-breeding coloration) and whether the fish is a juvenile or adult. Fins tinged with orange with black blotch on continuous soft dorsal and anal fins. The caudal (tail) fin is forked.

Maximum fish length per species ranges from 4 to 18 inches.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Subtropical. Cape Mendocino to northern Baja California along rocky shores, often at the edges of kelp beds; occasionally over sand but not found in the surf zone.

DIET IN THE WILD: Rainbow Surfperch feed on isopods, amphipods and other crustaceans; also snails and brittle stars.

REPRODUCTION: H. caryi males approach the female from below; both swim with vents close for 2 or 3 seconds, then separate and repeat the process. As with all surfperches fertilization is internal and they are viviparous (livebearers) giving birth to as many as 22 young which are fully-formed (5 cm) at birth miniature versions of the adults.

 CONSERVATION: IUCN: Not evaluated.

 REMARKS: Divers in Monterey Bay report Rainbow Surfperch cleaning ocean sunfish (Mola mola).

 References

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/36159456555/in/album-72157608359804936/

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Rocky Coast 2019

California Dept. of Fish and Wildlifewww.dfg.ca.gov/marine/sfmp/surfperch-id.asp

 fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3633

 eol eol.org/pages/995097/overview

 

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4-15-19 Pile Perch from Ron’s California Coast Marine Series

Filed under: TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
April 15, 2019

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

Genus/species: Rhacochilus vacca 

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Above there is a silvery luster with a dark gray or brown pigment.  The silvery luster which dominates the color on its sides and belly with darker blotches on the back and sides. There are dark vertical bars on juveniles and the fins are dusky with a deeply forked caudal fin.

Length 25–30 cm (10-12 inches); maximum 42 cm (16.5 in).

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found from Alaska to north central Baja California, Mexico among rocky shores, pilings, kelp beds, underwater structures to 46 m (150 ft).      

 PilePerchIMG_0091

DIET IN THE WILD: R. vacca feed on hard-shelled mollusks, crabs and barnacles. 

REPRODUCTION: Fertilization is internal. Viviparous (live bearer). Fecundity increases with age, averaging from 11–60 young.

LONGEVITY: 7–10 years.

CONSERVATION: Least Concern, the distribution of this species may coincide with a number of designated marine protected areas.

REMARKS: Specialized pharyngeal dentition enable the pile perch to crush hard shells persuading some ichthyologists to place the species in its own genus (Damalichthys). 

References

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

Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/7800199372/in/set-72157608348783942/

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Rocky Coast 2017

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3640

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-Co

eol eol.org/pages/205598/details

IUCN Least Concern www.iucnredlist.org/details/155179/0

8-16-12, 8-7-14, 8-1-17, 4-15-19

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8-04-17 Walleye Surfperch from Ron’s Pacific Coastal Marine Series

Filed under: TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
August 4, 2017

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

Genus/species; Hyperprosopon argenteum

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Thin-bodied, football-shaped profile with large eyes (about 1/3 of head length). Silver, often with bluish or greenish tints; may display dusky bars and black edges on caudal and anal fins. The caudal (tail) fin is forked. Dorsal fins are continuous, not notched and the pelvic fins have black tips.

Length to 30 cm (12 inches).

WalleyedSurfperch4330632348_5a0a951c76_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: H. argenteum are found from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada to central Baja California, Mexico. They are located in the surf on sand beaches and over sand near rocks, to 18 m (60 ft) often in dense rapidly swimming schools.

DIET IN THE WILD: Small crustaceans

REPRODUCTION: Fertilization is internal. Viviparous; bear 5–12 young; newborns about 3.8 cm (1.5 in) long

LONGEVITY: Up to 6 years

CONSERVATION: IUCN: Not evaluated

REMARKS: Walleye Surfperch are important commercial and sport fish.

References

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1jZ

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Rocky Coast 2017

PacificCoast Fishes Eschmeyer and Herald, Easton Press 1983, page 230

Ron’s flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/36360564855/in/album-72157608359804936/

CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife  www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/sfmp/surfperch-id.asp

eol  eol.org/pages/207481/details

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/3631

 

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8-3-17 Rubberlip Surfperch from Ron’s California Costal Marine Series

Filed under: Subtropical Marine — Leave a comment
August 3, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Embiotocidae (Surfperches)

Genus/species: Rhacochilus toxotes

 Rubberlip Surfperch14903173973_a0105891ee_k

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Silvery blue to purplish on dorsal surface; pectoral fins yellowish; pelvic fins black or dusky fringed with black; prominent lips thick, pink or white. The lower jaw is slightly shorter than the upper. Juveniles have one or two vertical dusky bars on the body, usually are not found on adults.The largest of the surfperches, up to 19 inches long. A 16.5 inch specimen weighed 3 pounds.

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Rubberlip Surfperch are found in the Eastern North Pacific: Cape Mendocino, California to Central Baja California generally favoring inshore waters with rocky shelves and extensive kelp beds.

DIET IN THE WILD: R. toxotes is an oral “winnowers” (to blow upon) sifting out thin-shelled invertebrates from the substrate; occasionally eat mollusks and algae.

REPRODUCTION: Like all surfperches, they are viviparous with young highly developed and free-swimming at birth.

CONSERVATION: IUCN: Not evaluated.

REMARKS: Overall population decline. Small commercial fishery in Southern California; most caught by sport fishermen who seek out the larger, mature females.

References

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/36298592766/in/album-72157608359804936/

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Academy California Rocky Reef 2017

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3639

eol eol.org/pages/357017/details

CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/mspcont2.asp

Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1jL

 

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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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7-28-17 Redtail Surfperch from Ron’s California Coast Series

Filed under: TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
July 28, 2017

TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Embiotocidae (Surfperches)

Genus/species: Amphistichus rhodoterus

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: The body of the Redtail Surfperch is a deep oval shape and is compressed from side to side. All fins reddish or pink. Faded brown bars on the side. Silvery overall with pale olive shading above and 9 to 11 narrow vertical dark bars, posteriorly, broken and staggered along the lateral line. Caudal (tail) fin broadly forked; dorsal fin distinctive for the long dorsal spines that contrast with shorter soft rays.

Length up to: 41 cm (16 in) and 2.1 kg (4.5 lbs.) in weight.

 

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Temperate marine. Vancouver Island to Monterey Bay around sand beaches and rocky shores in surf.

DIET IN THE WILD:  A. rhodoterus feeds on worms, crabs, other small crustaceans, and fishes.

LONGEVITY: Life span: up to 9 years.

REPRODUCTION: The Redtail Surfperch females are viviparous and reproductively mature at 3–4 years; males mature at 2 years. The females enter bays and estuaries to spawn.

REMARKS: This shallow water schooling surfperch is most often caught from central California northward.  A. rhodoterus omprises 10–30% of the total recreational catch in this area. Redtails also support a sizable commercial fishery, and comprise almost 75% of the commercial surfperch catch.

References

Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/7800132290/in/album-72157608359804936/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/3624

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium California Rocky Coast 2017

WashingtonDept. of Fish and Wildlife wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/bottomfish/identification/perch/a_rho…

Ron’s WordPress shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1jC

 

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12-11-15 Shiner Surfperch from Ron’s Temperate Marine Series (tidepool)

Filed under: TEMPERATE MARINE — Leave a comment
December 12, 2015

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

Genus/species:  Cymatogaster aggregata

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Shiner surfperch are small, deep-bodied fish, silvery colored with rows of dark spots on the scales that form vague black stripes on sides crossed by three vertical yellow bars. Males cover their shiny silver and yellow stripes with a darker courtship colors during the summer. Their maximum length is to 20 cm (8 in).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: Shiners are found from Wrangell, Alaska to Baja California. Within their range, they are a common fish in shallow water around eelgrass beds, piers, pilings and oil platforms, and are also found in calm, shallow waters along the coast. They live in loose schools to depths of 146 m (480 ft). They are also known to enter brackish and fresh waters, and are common in San Francisco Bay.

DIET IN THE WILD: Their diet includes small crustaceans, crab larvae, and polychaete worms, as well as planktonic copepods, amphipods, fish eggs, algae and diatoms.

PREDATORS: These small fish are preyed upon by other fishes, including kelp bass, sand bass, and halibut as well as by harbor seals. They are caught along almost all shoreline fishing areas, probably the most common fish taken by recreational anglers along the California coast and in estuaries.

REPRODUCTION:Shiner surfperch mate during the summer; young are born the following spring or summer. Fertilization is internal, embryos are nourished internally, and females give birth to about 20 live young. Litter size varies from 4 to 25. Some males are sexually active immediately after their birth. Females grow faster than males. Their live span is at least six to eight years.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Red List  Least Concern (LC)

LOCATION: Tidepool

References

Ron’s Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157626486149324/

Ron’s WordPress :  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-wj  

fishbase  www.fishbase.org/summary/Cymatogaster-aggregata.html

ADW  animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mytilus_californianus/

EOL eol.org/pages/1012531/overview

                

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