Category: Fish

Calico Surfperch

Surfperches/Seaperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Amphistichus koelzi (Hubbs, 1933); from the Greek words amphi (double) and stoichos (series, referring to the two rows of teeth in each jaw) and Walter Koelz, a U.S. ichthyologist. Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Amphistichinae. Alternate Names: Surf perch, humpback perch, porgie (or…

White Seabass

Croakers: Family Sciaenidae Species: Atractoscion nobilis (Ayres, 1860) from the Greek words atrax (spindle) and skion (from sciaena, an old name for a European croaker) and the Latin word nobilis (noble). Known as Cynoscion nobilis until the 1990s. White seabass taken at the Ventura Pier…

Shortfin Corvina

Croakers: Family Sciaenidae Species: Cynoscion parvipinnis (Ayres, 1861); from the Greek words kyon (dog) and skion (from sciaena, an old name for a European croaker) and the Latin words parvi (small) and pinnis (fins). Alternate Names: Bigtooth corvina, shortfin seabass, sea trout, weakfish, caravina and…

Pacific Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys sordidus (Girard, 1854); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and the Latin word sordidus (sordid or dull-colored). Listed as Orthopsetta sordida in Fish Bulletin #28. Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, sole,…

Speckled Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys stigmaeus (Jordan & Gilbert); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and the Latin word stigmaeus (speckled). Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder and Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado pecoso in Mexico. Identification: Speckled…

Salema

Grunts: Family Haemulidae Species: Xenistius californiensis (Steindachner, 1876); from xenitius (strange sail, in allusion to the dorsal fin) and californiensis (in reference to California as a geographic area). Alternate Names: Bass, big eye, big eye bass, striped bass and lima perch. In Mexico called salema,…

Spotted Sand Bass aka Bay Bass

  Species: Paralabrax maculatofasciatus (Steindachner, 1868); from the Greek words para (near) and labrax (a European bass), and the Latin words maculato (spotted) and fasciatus  (banded). Alternate Names: Commonly called bay bass, spotted bay bass, spotted bass, rock bass, red spotted rock bass, spotted, spotty,…

Bocaccio

Scorpionfishes and Rockfishes: Family Scorpaenidae Species: Sebastes Paucispinis (Ayres, 1854); from the Greek word sebastos (magnificent), and the Latin words pauci (few) and spinus (spines). Alternate Names: Commonly called salmon grouper or simply grouper. Less common names include rock salmon, lockjaw, salmon rockfish, brown bomber,…

Barred Sand Bass

Sea Basses: Family Serranidae Species: Paralabrax nebulifer (Girard, 1854); from the Greek words para (near) and labrax (a European bass), and the Latin words nebul (smoke or dark) and fer (to bear), in reference to the color on their sides. Alternate Names: Commonly called sand…

California Needlefish

Needlefishes: Family Belonidae Species: Strongylura exilis (Girard, 1854); from strongylura (meaning round tail) and exilis (meaning slender). Alternate Names: Garfish, pike needlefish, billfish. Called agujón bravo de California or agujón Californiano in Mexico. Identification: Jaws form a long, pointed needle-like beak with many sharp teeth; body…