About Leuresthes tenuis (Ayres, 1860)
This species, known as the California grunion, has the scientific name Leuresthes tenuis (Ayres, 1860). It is a long, slender fish with a deeply forked tail. Its dorsal fin is split into two parts, with five to seven spines and nine to ten soft rays. The anal fin begins directly below the first dorsal fin, and has 21 to 24 soft rays. This fish reaches a maximum total length of 19 centimeters, or 7 inches. It is greenish on its upper body and silvery on its lower body. It has a blue patch on the cheek, and a silvery-blue lateral stripe running along its side. This species is endemic to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from Monterey Bay, California south to Baja California, though it is uncommon in areas north of Point Conception. It is also found in the Gulf of California. It can be found from the sea surface down to a depth of approximately 18 meters, or 60 feet.
