Surfperch

The surfperches are a family of percomorph fishes, the Embiotocidae. They are mainly found in northeast Pacific Ocean (as far south as Baja California), but a few species (genera Ditrema and Neoditrema) are found in the northwest Pacific, and the tule perch is found in freshwater habitats in California, United States.^[2] The largest species in the family, are the barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) which reaches up to 49.5 cm (19.5 in) and 2.15 kg (4.7 lb),^[2] and the rubberlip surfperch (Rhacochilus toxotes) which grows to 47 cm (18.5 in) and 2.25 kg (5.0 lb).^[3]

Surfperch Temporal range: Late Miocene–present PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Striped surfperch, Embiotoca lateralis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Blenniiformes
Family:	Embiotocidae Agassiz, 1853
Genera[1]
Amphistichus Brachyistius Cymatogaster Ditrema Embiotoca Hyperprosopon Hypsurus Hysterocarpus Micrometrus Neoditrema Phanerodon Rhacochilus Zalembius †Eriquius

They are viviparous fishes, in which the embryo is nourished directly by the mother, as well as the yolk. This gives the family its scientific name, from Greek embios meaning 'persistent' and tokos meaning 'birth'. This means the mother fish gives live birth instead of laying eggs.^[2]

The only known fossil member of the family is Eriquius from the Late Miocene of California.^[4][5]

See also

• List of fish families