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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



distinguish. Barnhart (1936) should be consulted for details. Most of them are 

 crustacean-eaters. They swim actively in much the same way that small perchlike 

 fishes do. Many are of brilliant coloration with the metallic colors of brassy and 

 silver being common. 



SURF FISHES: Family Embiotocidae 



STRIPED SEA PERCH (blue PERCH ) : Taeniotoca lateralis 



Size: Averages 8 inches. Up to 15 inches. 



Distribution: Alaska to central Baja California. Common north of central 

 California. 



Identification: The alternating horizontal bars of orange and green, both 

 metallic, are distinctive. The shape is like that of the rubberlip sea perch. 



Habits: This is an exceedingly common fish around rocks, wharves, and in 

 the surf. 



ip sea perch. 



RUBBERLIP SEA PERCH: RhacochUus toxotes 



Size: Reaches P/2 feet. The largest surf fish. 



Distribution: San Francisco to San Diego. 



Identification: The lips are very thick and drooping. 



Habits: Similar to those of the striped perch. This is a valued food fish. 



Similar Species: The barred surf perch, Amphistichus argenteus, is a very 

 metallic, silvery gray with dark vertical bars and rows of spots above the lateral 

 line. It reaches 12 inches, averages 6 inches, and is common from central to 

 southern California. 



The Pacific white perch, Phancrodon furcatus, is very abundant in central 

 to southern California and ranges north to Vancouver Island. It has a very 

 large forked tail, and the spiny dorsal fin, which is highest in back and lowest 

 in front, is continuous with the soft dorsal fin, which is highest in front and 

 lowest in back. 



Demoiselles: Suborder Chromides 



Because of its habits, this group can be mistaken for no other. All, with the 

 exception of the reef fish, are pugnacious, very active little fishes, which have 



