Fin's Fish Guide
The California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) is a saltwater fish of the family Atherinopsidae that grows up to 19 cm.
Eastern Pacific off California and Mexico; coastal waters and sandy beaches.
Description
The California grunion is a silverside (Atherinopsidae) from the eastern Pacific off the coast of California and Mexico. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a bright flank stripe. Adults live close inshore, usually at or near the surface. The species is famous for its spawning runs: at high tide after a full or new moon the fish come ashore en masse on sandy beaches, where females wriggle their bodies into the wet sand to deposit eggs in it. The larvae are planktonic. It feeds on plankton. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the California grunion?
The California grunion has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Famous for spawning rituals in which the females drill their eggs into the wet beach sand.
Where does the California grunion live?
The California grunion lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Eastern Pacific off California and Mexico; coastal waters and sandy beaches.
How big does the California grunion get?
The California grunion grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.
Is the California grunion dangerous to humans?
No, the California grunion is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the California grunion edible?
The California grunion is rarely eaten.
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More from the family Atherinopsidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the California grunion is one of 12,519 species in the app.