Labyrinthici and Holconoti 



373 



The Embiotocidae. The group contains a single family, the 

 EmbiotocidcB, or surf -fishes. All but two of the species are confined 



FIG. 307. Fresh-water Viviparous Perch, Hysterocarpus traski Gibbons. 

 Sacramento River. 



to California, these two living in Japan. The species are rela- 

 tively small fishes, from five inches to eighteen inches in length, 

 with rather large, usually silvery scales, small mouths and 

 small teeth. They feed mainly on crustaceans, two or three 

 species being herbivorous. With two exceptions, they inhabit 



FIG. 308. Hypsurus caryi (Agassiz). Monterey. 



the shallow waters on sandy beaches, where they bring forth 

 their young. They can be readily taken in nets in the surf. 



