Ken Schultz's Field Guide to Saltwater Fish - Macaw Pets store

Surfperch
OTHER NAMES
Seaperch, surffish.
Distribution. This group
of 21 members of the
Embiotocidae family is
abundant along the eastern
Pacific. Two members of this
family occur off Japan and
Korea, and the remainder
occur along the Pacific coast
of North America from
Alaska to Baja California,
Mexico. All are marine, with
the exception of the small
tule perch (Hysterocarpus
traski), which is found in
California’s Sacramento and
Russian Rivers.
Habitat. Most species
inhabit the surf along both
sandy and rocky coasts, but
several species live mainly in
bays or in similar shallow
inshore waters. One species
occurs in relatively deep
water (to more than 700
feet), and two smaller
species inhabit only tidal
pools.
238 Surfperch
Barred Surfperch
Amphistichus argenteus
Rubberlip Surfperch
Rhacocilus toxotes
Surfperch are rare among marine fish for being viviparous,
or producing live offspring. Unlike most other fish, female
surfperch do not scatter eggs outside their bodies but nourish
young fish internally and then spawn them live into the
surf. Their maximum size ranges from 4 to 18 inches. They
have compressed bodies, more or less oval in shape and
generally silvery, and large fleshy lips. The spiny and softrayed
dorsal fins are joined. They primarily consume small
crustaceans, but some also feed on worms, small crabs,
shrimp, and mussels.
The shiner surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata) is probably
the number one fish caught by youngsters along the
California coast. Shiner surfperch range from Baja California,
Mexico, to Wrangell, Alaska, and are most abundant
around bays and eelgrass beds and the pilings of wharves
and piers. They grow to a maximum of 8 inches and are
generally greenish or silvery.
The barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) grows to a
maximum of 17 inches and 4 1 ⁄2 pounds, although it is usually
much smaller. It occurs along sandy coasts from central
California to Baja California. Its sides are marked with a
series of dusky, brassy vertical bars with spots between
them. The back and the sides are gray to olive. This is
among the most popular surfperch with anglers.
The largest member of the surfperch family is the rubberlip
surfperch (Rhacocilus toxotes), which reaches 18
inches. Occurring from central to southern California, it is
distinguished by thick white to pinkish lips. The whitish
background color is usually tinged with a smoky or blackish
color, and the pectoral fins are yellow.
Other common species include the redtail surfperch
(A. rhodoterus); the calico surfperch (A. koeizi); the walleye
surfperch (Hyperprosopon argenteum); the spotfin surfperch
(H. anale); the silver surfperch (H. ellipticum); the rainbow
surfperch (Hypsurus caryi); the white surfperch (Phanerodon
furcatus); the pile surfperch (R. vacca); the black surfperch
(Embiotoca jacksoni); and the striped surfperch (E. lateralis).