Striped Sea Perch

Labriform swimmers, including striped surfperch, are those use their pectoral fins for locomotion. However, as a labriform fish swims faster, both the frequency and amplitude of the fin beat will reach a maximum. This implies that the pectoral fin muscles have reached their physiological limits. As a result, the tail (caudal fin) starts to supplement the fins to allow the fish to keep swimming. The speed at which this happens is called the pectoral-caudal gait transition speed, or Up-c. Drucker and Jensen (1996) have shown that for striped surfperch this speed varies based on the size of the fish.

Copper ground color with dark brown overlay on back; a series of about 15 blue horizontal stripes below lateral line; head with several series of blue spots and stripes; fins coppery; dark areas on anterior part of rayed dorsal, base of caudal fin, anterior part of anal, and distal halves of pelvic fins (Ref. 6885).

Viviparous, female carries the developing young (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 25; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 29 - 33

Forages only during the day (Ref. 33994).

Adults occur in rocky coasts and kelp beds, occasionally in sandy surf near rocks (Ref. 2850). Feed on small crustaceans, worms, and mussels; occasionally on herring eggs (Ref. 4925). Viviparous, female carries the developing young (Ref. 205).

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

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