COMMON MARINE FISHES 



81 



RUBBERLIP PERCH 



Rhacochilus toxofes 



Relationship: A member of the salt-water perch family, Embiotocidae. 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 76. The exceedingly thick lips; the spiny 

 portion of the dorsal being lower than the soft, with the last spine about one-half to 

 two-thirds the length of the first ray. Length to IS inches. Color: Silvery, the back 

 with a blueish or purplish tinge or overlaid with smoky blackish ; the scales sometimes 

 tipped with blackish on the sides and belly ; pectoral fins yellowish ; the ventral, dorsal 

 and anal fins tipped with black or dusky ; lips white or pink. 



Distribution: Central and Southern California. 



Fishing Season: All year excepting the closed commercial season. 



Importance: One of the twn leading commercial species in the San Francisco 

 area. Forms about one quarter of the State's "perch" catch according to a survey made 

 in 1935. 



Fishing Gear: See page 76. 



Unauthorized Names: File perch, porgee, alfione, niggerlip. 



