Amphistichus rhodoterus (Agassiz, 1854)
Redtail surfperch
photo by DeCloux, R.

Family:  Embiotocidae (Surfperches)
Max. size:  41 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 7 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada to Avila Beach, central California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Caudal fin broadly forked (Ref. 6885). Generally silvery overlaid lightly with a brassy cast; light green above; sides with a series of about 9 to 11 narrow vertical dark bars, posteriorly, broken and staggered along the lateral line; caudal and anal fins red (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Adults are found in sand beaches in surf on exposed coast, sometimes in bays and backwaters (Ref. 2850). Viviparous, female carries the developing young (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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