The Surf-Fishes 



The genus Cymatogaster contains one species, C. aggregatus, 

 wiiich is very abundant everywhere from Fort Wrangel to Lower 



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California, especially on sandy or muddy shallows and about 

 wharves. It reaches 6 or 8 inches in length and is one of the 

 most interesting members of the family. It is the common 

 viviparous perch or sparada of the California coast. The above 

 drawing shows a female with a number of young. 



The genus Brachyistius has only one species, B. frenatus, 

 which reaches a length of 8 inches, and is found from Vancouver 

 Island to Lower California. It is rather abundant northward in 

 shallow water. 



The genus Zalembiiis, also has a single species, Z. rosaceus, 

 which occurs sparingly on the coast of California in deeper water 

 than any of the others, far below the line of the surf. It reaches 

 8 inches in length and is a beautiful and interesting fish. 



Hypocritichthys is another monotypic genus, the single species, 

 H. aiialis, reaching a length of 6 inches, being locally abun- 

 dant between San Francisco and Point Conception. 



The genus Hyperprosopon has 2 species. H. argenteiis, the wall- 

 eyed surf-fish or white perch, is everywhere common on sandy 

 shores from Cape Disappointment to Todos Santos Bay on sandy 

 shores in the surf. It reaches lo inches in length. H. agassqii 

 reaches a somewhat smaller size and is found from San Francisco 



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