76 DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



SALT-WATER PERCH 

 Family Embiotocidae 



Relationship: These fish are not true perches, but form a distinct family, 

 Embiotocidae. About 38 salt-water and one fresh-water species are found in California. 

 Their general similarity in appearance makes some of them quite difficult to distinguish 

 as separate species. 



Distinguishing Characters: The oval or oblong and compressed body; the 

 absence of teeth on the vomer ; the anal fin with three spines and 15 or more soft rays ; 

 the single dorsal fin with not more than 11 spines (excepting the fresh-water species 

 which has 16 to 18). All of the fi.sh in this family bear live young. The several species 

 range in length from 6 to about 18 inches. Color: Varies with the species; most are 

 silvery, though some are brightly colored. 



Distribution: Alaska south into Lower California, each species having its own 

 distribution within this range. Two species are known from Japan. These fish, other 

 than the fresh-water form, typically inhabit bays or shallow inshore water off both rocky 

 and sandy coasts. One species is normally found in moderately deep water. 



Fishing Season: Taken by sportsmen throughout the year. Currently (1948) 

 closed to commercial fishing from May 1st to July 15th. Consult fish and game laws. 



Importance: The object of a state-wide but minor commercial and sport fishery, 

 with different species predominating in different districts. Rather important as sport 

 fish in Central and Northern California along rocky coasts, in bays, and especially in 

 the surf. Heaviest commercial landings were made at San Francisco and Los Angeles 

 in 1946. The Southern California "perch" catch includes as well landings of halfmoon, 

 opaleye, sargo, garibaldi and blacksmith. 



Fishing Gear: Round haul nets; gill nets; beach seines; hook and line with 

 clams, mussels, pile worms, cut fish, etc., as bait. Most of the Eureka and San Francisco 

 region catches are made with beach seines. In Monterey Bay, small round haul nets 

 and both drift and set gill nets are used. Almost all of the Southern California catch is 

 taken in small round haul nets. Accidentally taken in trawls and in purse seine catches 

 of other fish. 



Unauthorized Names: Perch, surf fish, surf perch. 



