Barred Surfperch
Amphistichus argenteus

Physical Description

• A flattened, oval-shaped body and one continuous dorsal (back) fin.
• Olive green to yellow-green body, with a silver belly.
• Yellow or bronze barred (vertically striped) sides, or no bars at all.
• No red in tail, unlike many surfperches.
• Up to 17 inches long.

Range

• Bodega Bay, California to Plaza Maria Bay, Baja California, Mexico.

Habitat

• Usually live in the waves or just beyond the waves (hence the name surfperch).
• Found at depths of 0-240 feet.
• May live in kelp forests.

Reproduction

• They are mature at about 1-2 years old or 6.5 inches long.
• The female gives birth from March to July.
• Surfperches give birth to live young. They normally give birth to 33 live young, but can give birth to 113 at a time! 

Diet

• Sand crabs, bean clams, and other crustaceans.

Predators

• Seals, larger fishes.

Interesting Facts

• They are also called the California perch.
• Tagging information has helped scientists learn that surfperch move very little, often only about 2 miles in their lifetime! 

Sources: Wildcoast; California Department of Fish and Game; California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Photo: Ron DeCloux