Amphistichus koelzi (Hubbs, 1933)
Calico surfperch
Calico surfperch
Amphistichus koelzi
photo by Love, M.

Family:  Embiotocidae (Surfperches)
Max. size:  31 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 9 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: near Cape Flaterry in Washington, USA to northern Baja California, Mexico. Recorded 32 km from the Canadian border (Ref. 6885).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-28; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 26-32. Generally silvery overlaid with brassy tones; back bluish or olivaceous; lower head and lower anterior part of body tinged with red; sides with series of brown speckles which form rough narrow vertical bars; pectorals plain, other fins usually reddish (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Adults occur usually in sand beaches in surf (Ref. 2850). Viviparous, female carries the developing young (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Rare north of California. Fairly common in sport catches from surf and piers south of San Francisco, California. Also Ref. 6885.


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