| Surfperch Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Striped surfperch, Embiotoca lateralis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Embiotocidae Agassiz, 1853 |
| Genera [1] | |
The surfperches are a family of percomorph fishes, the Embiotocidae. They are mainly found in northeast Pacific Ocean (as far south as Baja California), but a few species (genera Ditrema and Neoditrema ) are found in the northwest Pacific, and the tule perch is found in freshwater habitats in California, United States. [2] The largest species in the family, the barred surfperch, reaches up to 49.5 cm (19.5 in). [2]
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They are viviparous fishes, in which the embryo is nourished directly by the mother, as well as the yolk. This gives the family its scientific name, from Greek embios meaning 'persistent' and tokos meaning 'birth'. This means the mother fish gives live birth instead of laying eggs. [2]
The only known fossil member of the family is Eriquius from the Late Miocene of California. [3] [4]
