Barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over rocky, sand, at depths of 0–73 m.
Scientific name: Amphistichus argenteus · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 49.5 cm
The barred surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus) is the largest of the surfperches in length, a deep-bodied inshore fish of the genus Amphistichus whose olive-yellow back, white belly and nine bronze vertical bars are familiar to every California surf angler. It is native to the inshore waters from northern California to southern Baja California, rarely seen north of Bodega Bay, and lives mainly in the surf zone shallower than 5 m along long sandy beaches and in pocket coves, though it has been recorded down to 73 m; sand crabs make up as much as 90% of its diet, supplemented by polychaete worms, small crustaceans and baitfish. Surfperch are viviparous and give birth to live young, mating in winter — often between September and November, when the fish move closer to shore, which is when they are most accessible from the beach. American anglers fish for it by casting from the sand with sand crabs, sandworm or small grubs on light tackle, and Californian anglers also know it as the sandperch, silver perch or California perch.
Back to home · United States · Species library