84 



DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME 



•^^5* 



Photo by Al Johns for 



Haden & Carpenter, San Pedro 



PINK PERCH 



Zaiembius rosaceus 



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



Distinguishing Characters: See page 76. The spiny portion of the dorsal fin 

 being higher than the soft portion ; the total number of dorsal and anal rays less than 40 

 (the number is over 40 in all other species discussed except the kelp perch) ; the 

 rather deep head which is not pointed; the rather large scales (under 50 in a row 

 along the lateral line) ; the deeply forked tail. Length to about eight inches. Color: 

 Rose-red with silver reflections. Two distinct chocolate-colored spots on the back, the 

 first and larger below the forepart of the soft portion of the dorsal, the second below 

 the end of the soft dorsal. 



Distribution: Central and Southern California, typically in deeper water than 

 any of the other species. Rarely found in shallow water but common in depths of 

 from 15 to 50 or more fathoms. 



Fishing Season: All year except the closed commercial season. 



Importance: Rarely enters the commercial perch catch. Seen rather often in 

 purse seine loads of other fish where it arouses interest because of its bright color. 



Fishing Gear: See page 76. Accidentally in purse seines. 



