Striped surfperches are found on the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. They live along rocky coasts, kelp beds and sometime in the sandy surf near rocks.
The life of a striped surfperch
Striped surfperch can grow up to 16 inches long, weigh up to 2.3 pounds and live up to 10 years. They occupy a range of marine habitats and can be found in waters as deep as 70 feet.
Most fish lay eggs, but striped surfperch give birth to live young. They birth anywhere from about 10 to 90 newly spawned young in the shallow water.
Striped surfperches eat worms, crustaceans, fish eggs, sea urchins and mussels. They face a wide variety of predators including harbor seals, river otters and birds such as blue heron, loons and ospreys, as well as larger fish like salmon, lingcod and California halibut.
Striped surfperch at the zoo
Located in Steller Cove.
