Fish Identification Photos: Dwarf Surfperch, Micrometrus minimus: The Dwarf Surfperch is a shiny silvery perch that is very abundant in southern California and a favorite of beginning anglers. It is characterized by a deep oval body, large eyes, dark splotches on the anal and pelvic fins, dark blotches in the 7 to 9 dorsal spines, a black triangle at the pectoral fin base, a dark line just below the dorsal fin commencing at the fourth dorsal spine, and an oblique mouth.

The Dwarf Surfperch is an intertidal species found around inshore algae covered reefs. It forms large schools.

The Dwarf Surfperch ranges from Bodega Bay in northern California to Guerrero Negro, Mexico. Mating occurs in June and July, with gestation periods of nine to twelve months. Each female produces two to 25 fry between April and July.

The Dwarf Surfperch consumes algae, crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. It reaches a maximum length of 6.3 inches and is present in the first 50 feet of the water column over sandy beaches, near rocky reefs and around piers and jetties. It is a minor contributor of the pier fishery.

The Dwarf Surfperch is a member of the Embiotocidae Family, which includes 24 individual surf perches from 13 genera that are known in Mexico as mojarras. They are perciform fish (fined and rayed) and have a continuous single dorsal fin with spinous and soft-ray portions. The anal fins have three spines. The caudal fins are forked and the lateral lines are evident. Most are brightly colored. They reach a maximum length of 18 inches. The surf perches are limited to the coastal waters of the North Pacific. Reproduction is viviparous whereby the embryos are nourished directly by the mother as well as by the yolk. Litter sizes can be up to 40 but are normally three to ten with adult-like young being born. They reside in schools or lose aggregates feeding primarily on invertebrates. There is a small commercial interest in surf perches.

Dwarf Surfperch, Micrometrus minimus: Caught off the Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego, Calif., in July 2006, on cut squid with a traditional bottom rig with size 4 hooks. Size approximately 4 inches. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.