Peprilus simillimus
Peprilus simillimus, also known as the Pacific Butterfish, Californian Pompano, or Pacific Pompano, is a silvery ray-finned fish in the family Stromateidae of the order Scombriformes. It is not closely related to true pompanos, in the Carangidae family, however is closely related to the Pomfrets.
Taxonomy and etymology
The species was first described in 1860 by ichthyologist William Ayres. The name comes from the Greek word "pepricos" in reference to local fish, and the Latin word "simillimus," meaning very similar, alluding to its resemblance to the Atlantic butterfish.Description
The Pacific pompano has an elliptical, oval-like body, and is deeply compressed. The body is a silvery and iridescent, with occasional olive or blue-green coloration on the back, and an olive-yellow on the upper head, and is covered with small scales.The tail fin is deeply forked, and all fins have a yellow hue, with black around the edges. A unique feature of this fish is that it lacks pelvic fins. They have long anal and dorsal fins, with the dorsal having 3 spines and 45-47 soft rays.
Most individuals are under but can reach up to in TL.
Biology and ecology
Peprilus simillimus prefers a subtropical climate and lives mainly in the Pacific Ocean, often over sandy bottoms in small but dense schools. It is found at a depth from to, but is most frequently found in shallow waters. It lives a benthopelagic lifestyle, being either near the bottom or in the midwater column.It ranges from Northern British Columbia to the tip of Baja California, including the Gulf of California and Puget Sound, and are more common in its southern ranges.
Like other butterfish, young fish tend to feed and take shelter in the tentacles of jellyfish. They may also school with other fish in the surfzone, like surfperches.
This species is oviparous, with pelagic eggs and larvae. They spawn near the surface of the water. Still, little is known about this species' mating habits and lifespan.