Category: Misc.

Wolf-eel

Wolf fishes: Family Anarhichadidae Picture courtesy Outdoor Writers Association of California Species: Anarrhichthys ocellatus (Ayres, 1855); from the Greek word anar-hichas (an ancient name for a fish which resembled this species) and the Latin word ocellatus (eye-like spots). Alternate Names: Moray eel. Called doctorfish in…

Pacific Tomcod

Cods: Family Gadidae Species: Microgadus proximus (Girard, 1854); from the Greek words micros (small) and gadus (codfish), and the Latin word proximus (next). Alternate Names: Tomcod, piciata and wachna. Identification: Typical cod-like shape with three dorsal fins and two anal fins. Tomcod have a short…

Pacific Butterfish

Species: Peprilus simillimus (Ayres, 1860); from the Greek word pepricos (one of Hesychian’s unknown fish) and the Latin word simillimus (very similar, in reference to a similar Atlantic butterfish). Alternate Names: Pompano, California pompano, Pacific pompano and dollarfish. Called palometa plateada in Mexico. Identification: A…

California Lizardfish

Lizardfishes: Family Synodontidae Species: Synodus lucioceps (Ayres, 1855); from the Greek word synodus (the ancient name of a fish in which the teeth meet), and the Latin word lucioceps (pike head). Alternate Names: Gar, barracuda, candlefish. Called lagarto lucio or chile lucio in Mexico. Identification:…

White Sturgeon

Sturgeons: Family Acipenseridae Acipenser transmontanus, the bottom feeder, Moves sluggishly through the turbid depths of the estuary Its truncated mouth sifting the silty bottom Groping for herring egg, ghost shrimp and worm… “Bottom Feeder” — Kirk Lombard and the Rube Waddell Band Species: Acipenser transmontanus…

Pacific Barracuda

Barracudas: Family Sphyraenidae Species: Sphyraena argentea (Girard, 1854); from the Greek word sphyraena (an ancient name meaning hammer fish) and the Latin word argenteum (silvery). Alternate Names: Pacific barracuda, cuda, barry, gar, fire hose, stove pipe, skinny, scooter, scoot, snake, slime, slimestick, pencil (small fish),…

Jacksmelt

Silversides: Family Atherinidae Species: Atherinopsis californiensis (Girard, 1854); from the Greek words ather (a spike or arrow) and ops (like), and californiensis (in reference to the geographic area). Alternate Names: Smelt, California smelt, horse smelt, blue smelt, silverside, pescado del rey, Peixe rey and Pesce…