COMMON MARINE FISHES 



53 



Photo by Al Johns for 



Haden & Carpenter, San Pedro 



Relationship: 



Not a true bass. 



BIG-EYE BASS 

 Xenisfius californiensis 



The only member of family Xenichthyidae found in California. 



Distinguishing Characters: The two dorsal fins; the three spines in front of 

 the anal fin ; the series of six to eight orange brown horizontal stripes on the sides ; the 

 pectoral fins reaching back past the tips of the ventral fins ; the very large eye which 

 is almost equal to one-third of the length of the head (the last two characters separate 

 it from the striped bass with which it is sometimes confused in Southern California). 

 Length to about a foot. Color: Blue to green with iridescent reflections above, 

 become silvery on the sides and belly ; striped as described above ; tail fin orange 

 l)rown, ventrals white, other fins tinged with orange brown. 



Distribution: Southern Califoi-nia south along the Mexican coast and into the 

 Gulf of California. Recorded once from Monterey Bay. 



Fishing Season: Taken irregularly by sportsmen, chiefly in the spring and 

 summer. 



Importance: Not fished commercially. A minor game fish, caught mostly off 

 San Diego County. 



Fishing Gear: Hook and line. 



