Embiotoca lateralis


Embiotoca lateralis, commonly known as the striped surfperch or striped seaperch, is a species of surfperch native to the Northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Distribution

The striped surfperch is found from Punta Baja, Central Baja California, to Wrangrell, Southeastern Alaska.

Habitat

It is often found near rocky reefs, eelgrass beds, kelp forests, and underwater structures, including man-made piers. While frequenting shallow waters and intertidal zones, the striped surfperch can be found at depths up to.

Description

The striped surfperch is characterized by bright blue stripes running lengthwise down the body, which can be bronze, brown-orange, or pink to darker black. It has blue spots on the head and operculum. The fins are often orange to yellow-black, and the anal and soft dorsal fins can possess black bands. They are deep bodied and have a laterally compressed frontal profile. They have small teeth on the mouth.
Individuals reach maximum lengths of and a maximum weight of.
Like other surfperch, the fish is viviparous, giving birth to life offspring. They mature at around 2 years of age, usually being around.

Ecology

It is sympatric with its only congener, the black surfperch. The two species share a high degree of overlap in their diets of small benthic crustaceans and bryozoans. As a result of interspecific competition, in areas where both species are present, E. lateralis is more often found in shallow algae-covered reefs, while E. jacksoni is more often found in deeper, comparatively food-poor waters.

Diet

The striped surfperch, like its close relative the black surfperch often feeds on marine worms, bryozoans, small crustaceans, and molluscs. They have also been observed eating ophiuroids/brittle stars, sea urchins, and fish eggs.

Fishery

Striped surfperch are a common recreational catch by inshore anglers, especially when targeting rockfish. They may be as much as 10% of recreational catches in north of San Francisco They are known to have a mild taste and flaky meat, but as larger ones are often pregnant, they are thrown back. There is no targeted commercial fishery for the species, but they are taken incidentally on occasion.