Cal Coast Divers Marine Ecology Pages: The boney fish of California

CAL COAST DIVERS . COM INTRODUCING THE WORLD TO THE BEST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ONE DIVER AT A TIME		Last updated: 5/30/2004 ARTICLES IN DIVING SERVING: SAN DIEGO COUNTY ORANGE COUNTY LOS ANGELES COUNTY VENTURA COUNTY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
CAL COAST DIVERS ECOLOGY PAGES: BONEY FISH
CAL COAST DIVERS HOME PAGE CAL COAST COURSES HOME PAGE UP COMING COURSES DISCOVER LOCAL DIVING TRIPS DIVING LOCATIONS HOME MARINE ECOLOGY HOME PAGE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS OF CA FISH IDENTIFICATION PAGES PHYLA OF CALIFORNIA SPECIES SERVER DIVING INFORMATION DIVING TIPS DIVING THEORY SCUBA DIVING LINKS INPUT FORUM EQUIPMENT HOME BUYERS GUIDE GEAR INPUT FORUM ABOUT US BIOGRAPHIES CORPORATE INFO	CALIFORNIA COASTAL ECOLOGY PAGES SPECIES SERVER \| ALGAE \| SPONGES \| BRYOZOANS \| ANEMONES \| SEA FANS \| NUDIBRANCHS \| LIMPETS \| CHITON \| CLAMS \| MUSCLES \| SCALLOPS \| OCTOPI \| FEATHER WORMS \| SHRIMP \| LOBSTER \| CRABS \| BARNACLES \| SEA STARS \| SEA URCHINS \| SEA CUCUMBER \| SHRIMP \| SEA SQUIRTS \| SHARKS \| SKATES \| RAYS \| BONEY FISH \| BONEY FISH OFF OUR CALIFORNIA COAST There is no doubt about it. When you drop down the water column, chances are the abundance and diversity of fish you encounter can change the way you feel about a particular dive location. This page provides pictures, write ups, as well as important information on the fish that make their home off of our California coast. Simply click on the links below to learn more about each family of fish, or learn more about a particular specie you are interested in! SEA BASS (SERRANIDAE) These fish are amongst the slowest growing fish in coastal waters and range dramatically in size. ROCK FISH / SCORPIONFISH (SCORPEANIDAE) Rockfish are amongst the more commercially viable fish as food sources. They typically dwell in deeper water on the islands but can also be found on any of our beach diving locales. SCULPIN (COTTIDAE) These fish blend in exceptionally well with their environment and are a cause for much anxiety for many a diver experiencing surge in rocky areas! GREENLING (HEXAGRAMMIDAE) Another group of fish which avoid predation by blending in seamlessly with their background, look closely we promise they are in the pictures! GOBY (GOBIIDAE) Small fish that range between 1 to 3 inches and typically dwell in the rocks and crevices in water 20 to 60 feet deep. CLINID (CLINIDAE) These fish are masters of disguise. Not only do they blend in with their environment but they take it one step further. As these fish blend in with the background they tend to sway with any surge or swell that moves the substrate they are attempting to blend into! FLATFISH (PLEURONECTIDAE) An amazing group of fish which range dramatically in size, a fact not lost on naturalists and hunters a like. These fish undergo a transformation from juveniles to adults in which their eyes migrates from ventral locations on the head to one side of their body! WRASSE (LABRIDAE) A group of fish that range dramatically in shape and size. This group contains small fish such as the kelp dwelling Senorita as well as the 3 foot California Sheephead. CROAKERS (SCIAENIDAE) The most common of this group is the black croaker, often mistaken for other fish in the surf perch group.
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