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Blue seaperch (Embiotoca lateralis) — Embiotocidae

Blue seaperch

Embiotoca lateralis
Family: Embiotocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue seaperch (Embiotoca lateralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Embiotocidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The striped surfperch is a surfperch of the family Embiotocidae from the north-eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 38 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed body with blue and orange longitudinal stripes. Adults live along rocky coasts and in kelp forests, sometimes in the sandy surf near rocks. As a bottom searcher it picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms from the weed and rocks. Notably surfperches are livebearers: after internal fertilisation the female gives birth to fully developed young. The species is a popular angling fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue seaperch?

The Blue seaperch has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blue seaperch live?

The Blue seaperch lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Blue seaperch get?

The Blue seaperch grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Blue seaperch dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue seaperch is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue seaperch edible?

Yes, the Blue seaperch is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte brandingbaars sourced
English name
Blue seaperch verified
Scientific name
Embiotoca lateralis
Family
Embiotocidae
Other names
Striped seaperch; Striped surfperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
10.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Embiotoca

More from the family Embiotocidae

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