The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

Striped Surfperch (Embiotoca lateralis)

Source: Wikipedia

Embiotoca lateralis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Embiotocidae
Genus: Embiotoca
Species:
E. lateralis
Binomial name
Embiotoca lateralis
Agassiz, 1854
Synonyms[2]
  • Ditrema laterale (Agassiz, 1854)
  • Embiotoca lineata Girard, 1854
  • Embiotoca ornata Girard, 1855
  • Embiotoca perspicabilis Girard, 1855
  • Holconotus agassizi Gibbons, 1854
  • Phanerodon cateralis (Agassiz, 1854) (misspelling)
  • Sema signifer Jordan, 1878
  • Taeniotoca lateralis (Agassiz, 1854)

Embiotoca lateralis, commonly known as the striped surfperch or striped seaperch, is a species of surfperch native to the north-eastern Pacific Ocean.

Description

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The striped surfperch is characterized by orange and blue stripes running lengthwise down the body and blue spots on the head and operculum.[3] Individuals reach maximum lengths of 41.5 centimetres (16.3 in) and a maximum weight of 1 kilogram (2.2 lb).[4][5]

Like other surfperch, the fish is viviparous, giving birth to life offspring. They mature at around 2 years of age, usually being around 22–25 cm (8.7–9.8 in).[6]

Habitat and Ecology

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The striped surfperch ranges from near Punta Baja, Central Baja California, to Wrangrell, Southeastern Alaska.

It is often found near rocky reefs, eelgrass beds, kelp forests, and underwater structure, including man-made piers. While frequenting shallow waters and intertidal zones, the striped surfperch can be found at depths up to 95 metres (312 ft).[4]

Diet

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The striped surfperch, like it's close relative the black surfperch (Embiotoca jacksoni,) often feeds on marine worms, bryozoans, small crustaceans, and molluscs (such as bivalves and gastropods). They have also been observed eating ophiuroids/brittle stars, sea urchins, and fish eggs.[6]

Fishery

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Striped surfperch are a common recreational catch by inshore anglers, especially when targeting rockfish. They may be as much as 10% of recreational catches in north of San Francisco (excluding salmon.)[6] They are known to have a mild taste and flaky meat, but as larger ones are often pregnant, they are thrown back. There is no targeted commercial fishery for the species, but they are taken incidentally on occasion.[4]

2 Striped surfperch caught near Pedro Point in California

References

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  1. ^ Carpenter, K.E. & Robertson, R (2019). "Embiotoca lateralis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T141481460A141781371.en. S2CID 240049628.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ N. Bailly (2014). Bailly N (ed.). "Embiotoca lateralis Agassiz, 1854". FishBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Herald, Earl S.; Hammann, Howard (1983). A Field Guide to Pacific Coast Fishes: North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 229. ISBN 061800212X.
  4. ^ a b c "Striped Seaperch". Pier Fishing in California. 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  5. ^ "Striped Surfperch | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife". wdfw.wa.gov.
  6. ^ a b c "CA Marine Species Portal". marinespecies.wildlife.ca.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-17.