Can you identify this saltwater fish species? This fish is commonly caught from piers and the sandy shore, and has bronze or brassy bars on its side.
It's a barred surfperch -- also known as silver perch, barreds, sand perch, silver surf fish, mojarra de bandas, perca, or by its scientific name, Amphistichus argenteus.
Inside San Francisco Bay, the recreational fishery for surfperch (family Embiotocidae) is open from Aug. 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. The daily bag and possession limit is five fish in combination of all species (except shiner perch). Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) are open year-round, and have a separate bag and possession limit of 20 fish. Redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus) have a minimum size limit of 10½ inches total length.
Outside of San Francisco Bay, the recreational fishery for surfperch is open year-round. The daily bag and possession limit is 20 fish in combination of all species (except shiner perch), with not more than 10 fish of any one species. The same regulations exist for shiner perch and redtail surfperch as listed above.
Need a helpful identification guide for the surfperch you catch?
Check out this link:
CDFW barred surfperch photo by Environmental Scientist Ken Oda
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