Shiner Perch Cymatogaster aggregata

The Shiner Perch is one of the Surfperches. Surfperches, all but one are marine fish, are native to North America, the Shiner to coastal bays, estuaries and lagoons along the Pacific coast from Alaska to northern Mexico. The only species in its genus, it is a silvery colour with green or yellowy-green patches on the sides, but the males darken to almost black with thicker black stripes in the breeding season. It can grow to some 18cm long but is usually less. It can tolerate brackish water with low salinity. The female gives birth to live young.