COMMON MARINE FISHES 



79 



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STRIPED PERCH 



Taeniotoca lateralis 



Relationship: One of the salt-water perches belonging to family Embiotocidae. 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 76. The highest dorsal spine being about 

 half of the height of the tirst soft ray ; the inwardly curved (but not forked) tail ; the 

 anal fin with about 31 soft rays. Length to about 15 inches. Color: Striped hori- 

 zontally with dull orange and blue along the rows of scales, finely speckled with black 

 above ; the head with several blue spots and streaks. The bright colors start to fade 

 soon after death. 



Distribution: Alaska south into central Lower California. Uncommon in South- 

 ern California, but abundant farther north, especially along rocky coasts. 



Fishing Season: All year excepting the closed commercial season. 



Importance: Caught in fair quantity in Central California. It was one of the 

 two leading species at Monterey according to a survey made in 1935. 



Fishing Gear: See page 76. 



Unauthorized Names: Blue perch, rainbow perch, squawfish, crugnoli. 



