Brachyistius frenatus Gill, 1862
Kelp perch
Brachyistius frenatus
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Embiotocidae (Surfperches)
Max. size:  22 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 30 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: northern British Columbia, Canada to central Baja California, Mexico, including Guadalupe Island, off north central Baja California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 21-24; Vertebrae: 31-34. Color variable, olive brown to coppery above lateral line, with dark pigment under each scale, bright below lateral line; dark on axil; fins either pale or rosy (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Found among giant kelp, usually up in kelp canopy. Feed on small crustaceans, especially ones that live on kelp. Also a cleaner which picks external parasites from other fishes. Usually occur in large aggregations in summer (Ref. 2850). Viviparous, female carries the developing young (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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