| Redtail surfperch | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Family: | Embiotocidae |
| Genus: | Amphistichus |
| Species: | A. rhodoterus |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphistichus rhodoterus (Agassiz, 1854) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) is a marine fish that inhabits the near-shore and estuarine waters of North American Pacific coasts. [1] [2]
The scientific name of redtail surfperch is Amphistichus rhodoterus and these fish are taxonomically classified in the surfperch family, Embiotocidae. Redtail surfperch are one of three species in the genus Amphistichus (i.e. redtail, barred and calico surfperch), and one of six species in the subfamily (i.e. genera Amphistichus and Hyperprosopon). [3]
Redtail surfperch are a deep bodied fish, (i.e. oval in sideview), that are compressed (i.e. slender) from side to side, most often observed in the 8 to 11 inch lengths. [2] The body is light colored, white to silver, with vertical marks or bars and red or pink fins (e. g. dorsal, anal and tail). The vertical marks begin as bars when young and become less distinct olive-red-brown markings as the fish grows. [2] Fins of the redtail surfperch have both spines and fin rays, and the tail is moderately forked. The longest dorsal spines of the redtail surfperch are longer than dorsal fin rays, which helps distinguish the redtail surfperch from the barred and calico surfperch. [1]
The redtail surfperch body is about twice as long as it is high, not including the mildly forked tail. The tail is about ¼ of the fish's length and is as wide as it is long. The first quarter of the redtail surfperch's length includes a small upturned mouth, eye, and gill cover. The second quarter of the fish includes an upward sloping back, the dorsal fin spines along the highest part of the back, a pectoral fin at the leading edge of the lowest part on the belly, and a moderately sized pectoral fin two-thirds of the way down the body just behind the gill cover. The third quarter of a redtail surfperch body contains the dorsal fin rays, the anus, and the start of the anal fin. The belly of the redtail surfperch slopes upward after the anus. The posterior quarter of the fish contains the upward sloping end of the anal fin, and the forked tail. The lateral line starts behind the gill cove and runs high on the back parallel to the edge of the body above the pectoral fin to the tail. The extension of fins can significantly change the redtail surfperch outline or profile. [2]
Redtail surfperch grow to at least 2.1 kg (4.5 pounds), 41 cm total length (16 inches); and reach the age of 14 years. [4] Average back calculated length in Oregon (i.e. length at winter scale ring -annulus formation) at age 1 is 3.9 inch (100 mm) and at age 2 is 6.5 inch (164 mm). [2] By age 3 the average length of females is larger than for males. Female growth in length appears to continue at a faster rate than male growth throughout life. [2] [5] Growth rate appears to vary with latitude and water temperature.
Redtail surfperch are common along sandy ocean beaches and jetties year-round; these fish are found up-bay in estuaries seasonally, commonly during spring. [5] [6] [7] Redtail surfperch are distributed from Avila Beach, California to Hope Island, B.C., [8] [4] and are the only New World marine surfperch that does not inhabit Southern and Baja California waters.
Redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) are viviparous, a species that gives birth to live young. Amphistichus rhodoterus are iteroparous (i.e. reproducing multiple times during their life) with females giving birth annually after reaching sexual maturity at 3 or 4 years of age. [5] [7] [2] Females along the central Oregon coast contain fertilized eggs near the first of the year, gestate for 8 months, and give birth in August and September. [5] [2] Northern California populations of redtail surfperch have a similar reproductive schedule, except that parturition (live birth) starts in July. [7] Redtail surfperch normally give birth to between three and forty young; there is a strong correlation between female size and number of young. [5] [7] [2] In the laboratory some young may not develop fully inside the female and can be reabsorbed or born dead. [5] [2] Wild caught fish rarely contain abnormal embryos. Water temperature affects growth of embryos, time of birth, and size at birth, and may be related to the faster growth of females. [2] Male redtail surfperch develop a distinctive permanent shortening of some anal fins rays as they mature; the shortened anal fin rays appear as a notch in profile and can be used to externally determine mature males from females and juvenile fish.
Redtail surfperch can move long distances along sandy beaches and coastlines, however migration around larger headlands like Cape Arago in southern Oregon has not been documented. [9] Redtail surfperch appear to school like other surfperch. Gestating (i.e. pregnant) females are known to move miles up into estuaries along with fewer smaller females that do not appear to carry young. [3] Male and young female redtail surfperch are uncommon in estuaries upstream of the entrance and jetties. Females carrying young are also known to concentrate near where small rivers and creeks empty into the ocean during summer. Gestating females and newborn redtail surfperch are rarely observed in estuaries near the time of birth, however neonates and females that have recently given birth have been captured along ocean beaches near the time of birth in reasonable numbers. [2]
Species that co-occur with redtail surfperch on ocean beaches include the silver surfperch, Pacific staghorn sculpin, sandlance, Dungeness crab, shiner perch, mole crab, Pacific razor clam, sandhoppers and other crustaceans. [2] Sandlance and crustaceans are eaten by the redtail surfperch. [5] Redtail surfperch are documented to include a significant amount of fish in their diet unlike many other surfperch. [5] Harbor seals are observed swimming and diving in areas where redtail surfperch were being caught; the fish often stop biting and may move when harbor seals arrive. Sea lions have been observed surfing in waves just offshore of redtail surfperch fishing beaches but not as close in-shore as harbor seals. Newborn silver surfperch co-occur with neonate redtail surfperch along Oregon beaches; however the silver surfperch are born smaller and up to two months earlier. [2] Stranded-decaying kelp, seagrass, invasive marsh grass as well as plankton and bacteria contribute energy and nutrients to this beach ecosystem.
Redtail surfperch are a popular sport fish in Washington, Oregon and Northern California; tens to hundreds-of-thousands of these fish are estimated to be caught by recreational anglers from each state annually. [10] Redtail surfperch have been targeted by commercial fisheries in Northern California and are grouped with other surfperch in Oregon's commercial landings. Commercial fishing seasons close in California and Oregon near the time of birth. Redtail surfperch are caught from beaches (surf), piers, jetties and in estuaries, and are not reported from offshore deep-ocean areas. Size, age and sex of fish caught vary depending on location and time of year. Female fish containing developing embryos dominate the redtail surfperch caught inside estuaries upstream from the entrance and jetties. Large catches of redtail surfperch were recorded from Oregon estuaries during the 1960s and 1970s; catches appear to have decreased since then, however data is not directly comparable. [6] [10] Some locations, well known to anglers, consistently result in catches dominated by one sex or size of fish.
The gafftopsail catfish is a species of marine catfish found in the waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It has long, venomous spines which can cause painful wounds. It feeds on crustaceans and other fish. The male of the species fertilizes the eggs of the female, and broods them in his mouth until they hatch. The gafftopsail feeds throughout the water column. This fish is a common catch in the Southeastern US, although it may be found as far north as New York. They are considered strong fighters by anglers. They are taken from piers, jetties, reefs, and the surf, as well as bottom fishing or flats fishing. They are caught with hard lures as well as soft plastics, cut bait, and live or dead shrimp. Some fishermen use traps for catfish, a method regulated by some states.
The leopard shark is a species of houndshark, in the family Triakidae. It is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from the U.S. state of Oregon to Mazatlán in Mexico. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is immediately identifiable by the striking pattern of black saddle-like markings and large spots over its back, from which it derives its common name. Large schools of leopard sharks are a common sight in bays and estuaries, swimming over sandy or muddy flats or rock-strewn areas near kelp beds and reefs. They are most common near the coast, in water less than 4 m (13 ft) deep.
The parore also known as luderick, black bream, black snapper or blackfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea chub from the family Kyphosidae which is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean off Australia and New Zealand. Parore or paraore is the common name in New Zealand but in Australia luderick is preferred.
The Pacific staghorn sculpin is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. This species is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Lepidocottus.
The Atlantic threadfin is a species of ray-finned fish a threadfin from the family Polynemidae which is native to subtropical and temperate waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The pelagic thresher is a species of thresher shark, family Alopiidae; this group of sharks is characterized by the greatly elongated upper lobes of their caudal fins. The pelagic thresher occurs in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, usually far from shore, but occasionally entering coastal habitats. It is often confused with the common thresher, even in professional publications, but can be distinguished by the dark, rather than white, color over the bases of its pectoral fins. The smallest of the three thresher species, the pelagic thresher typically measures 3 m (10 ft) long.
The common stingaree is a species of stingray in the family Urolophidae. The most abundant ray in inshore waters off eastern Australia, it generally inhabits estuaries, sandy flats, and rocky reefs from the shore to a depth of 60 m (200 ft). This plain brownish to grayish species has a rounded pectoral fin disc with a broadly triangular snout. Its nostrils have enlarged lobes on their outer margins and a skirt-shaped curtain of skin with a fringed posterior margin between them. Its tail bears a small dorsal fin before the stinging spine, and terminates in a leaf-shaped caudal fin. This ray can grow to 52 cm (20 in) long.
The Korean sandlance is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Hypoptychidae. The Korean sandlance is the only species in this monotypic family and genus and is found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Hyperprosopon ellipticum, the silver surfperch, is a species of surfperch native to the eastern Pacific Ocean. This species is also displayed in public aquariums.
Polydactylus sexfilis, the six-finger threadfin or yellowthread threadfin, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae which is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The king threadfin, also known as the blind salmon, blink tassel-fish, burnett salmon, gold threadfin, king salmon, kingfish, Sheridan threadfin, triped tassel fish, or threadfin salmon, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae which is found in southern New Guinea and northern Australia.
The Indian threadfin is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Polynemidae, the threadfins. It is a coastal species from south-east Asia which has been recorded in Papua New Guinea.
Taractichthys steindachneri, the sickle pomfret, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a pomfret of the family Bramidae. It is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Hyperprosopon argenteum, the walleye surfperch, is a species of surfperch native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Embiotoca jacksoni, commonly known as the black surfperch, is a species of surfperches native to shallow coastal areas of the eastern Pacific. Other common names of the species include black perch and butterlips. They are usually a dark reddish brown to tan in color, often also with vertical dark bars across their body. They are commercially important food and game fish.
Polynemus aquilonaris, commonly known as the northern paradise fish, is a fish of the threadfin family Polynemidae. It is native to the large rivers of mainland Southeast Asia.
Polydactylus sextarius, the blackspot threadfin, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae which is native to the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans.
Polydactylus plebeius, the striped threadfin, also known as the common threadfin, Northern threadfin or puttynose, is a species of marine fish native to the Indo-Pacific.
The southern smoothtongue or California smoothtongue is a type of ray-finned fish in the deep-sea smelt family Bathylagidae, that can grow to a length of 15 centimetres (6 in) TL. This fish is native to the northeastern Pacific Ocean from British Columbia to Oregon, and the Gulf of California where it is found at depths of 100 to 850 metres.
The royal threadfin is a species of ray-finned fish, a threadfin from the family Polynemidae, the threadfins. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean along the western coast of Africa.
| Authority control databases: National |
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