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