Walleye surfperch
(Hyperprosopon argenteum)
General data
Hyperprosopon argenteum, the walleye surfperch, is a species of surfperch native to the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The body of the Walleye surfperch is oval and strongly compressed. The head is small and the eyes are large. The mouth is small and slanted downward.
Its normal colouration is silver with faint dusky shading on the back, while the tips of the ventral fins, the borders of the anal fin, and the tail fin are black.
The Walleye surfperch can be distinguished from other surfperch by the distinctive black tips on the ventral fins and black borders on the tail and anal fins.
This species can reach a length of 30 centimetres (12 in) length.
Walleye surfperch are found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada to central Baja California, Mexico, including Guadalupe Island (off northern central Baja California).
Walleye surfperch live in the surf on sand beaches and over sand near rocks, they are often found and caught around piers.
They feed on small crustaceans.
They are an important game fish. Walleye surfperch can be plentiful, easy to catch and occur in large numbers in surf, shore and pier catches.
