86 



DIVISION OF PISH AND GAME 



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WALLEYED PERCH 

 Hyperprosopon argenteum 



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

 species, Tocichthys ellipticus, closely resembles it, but does not have black-tipped 

 ventral fins. 



Distinguishing Characters: See page 76. The black-tipped ventral fins; the 

 very large eye which is about two-fifths the length of the head ; the longest dorsal 

 spine being higher than the soft rays; the mouth when closed paralleling the outline 

 of the lower surface of the head. Length to about a foot. Color: Steel blue above 

 becoming silvery on the sides and belly ; sides with faint bars which fade soon after 

 death ; pectoral fins tipped with black. 



Distribution: Straits of Juan de Fuca south into Lower California. Common 

 along sandy beaches. 



Fishing Season: All year excepting the closed commercial season. 



Importance: One of the more important commercial species, particularly at 

 Monterey. A survey made in 193') showed that this species m-ade up about 5 percent 

 of the State's "perch" catch, was one of the two leading species at Monterey and 

 comprised about 10 percent of the Southern California landings. 



Fishing Gear: See page 76. 



Unauthorized Names: Silver perch, surf 



