Shiner Surfperch

Shiner perch is similar to tule perch; it is deep-bodied with a dusky greenish back and silvery sides that have a pattern combining fine horizontal bars with three broad yellow vertical bars. Breeding males turn almost entirely black, the barred pattern being obscured by dark speckles. Shiner perch is distinguished from tule perch by having fewer dorsal fin spines, just 8–9 vs the 15–19 of the tule perch. The rayed part of the dorsal fin has 18 to 23 rays. The anal fin has 3 spines followed by 22–25 rays.

Shiner perch can reach a maximum length of 21 centimetres (8.3 in), but are most commonly under 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) in total length. Shiner perch mature soon after birth, but females often wait until one year of age before spawning. Breeding males can turn almost completely black.

Shiner perch range from Punta Baja, Northern Baja California, to Saint John Baptist Bay near Sitka in Southeastern Alaska.

It primarily feeds on zooplankton such as copepods and gammarid amphipods, but has also been observed to feed on bottom species like small crustaceans, marine worms, and mollusks. It also feeds on fish eggs.

Due to its small size, there is a very limited targeted fishery for the shiner perch, and it is usually taken incidentally or for bait. They are one of the most commonly caught fish out of West Coast piers, and are a popular catch for beginner anglers. The shiner perch is often also used in East-Asian and other ethnic dishes, fried whole or dried out.