November 2016 archives

Jacksmelt

November 16, 2016 by kenjones
Silversides—Family Atherinidae Jacksmelt 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 rey. Called pejerrey mocho in Mexico. Identification: Smelt-like shape and [...]

Oceanside Pier

November 16, 2016 by kenjones
The Oceanside Pier — 2005 This used to be a two-sack pier; that was what I learned one day while talking to a pier regular. The regular, a gentleman of a youthful 78 years of age, and one who fished about 350 days a year, told me the story: “Back in the thirties you needed [...]

Basketweave Cusk-Eel

November 14, 2016 by kenjones
Order Ophidiformes  Cusk-Eels—Family Ophidiidae Cusk-eel (Photo courtesy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science) Species: Ophidion scrippsae  (Hubbs, 1916); from the words otophidium (referring to the large sacklike inner ear) and scrippsae  (in honor of Ellen Browning Scripps who helped establish the Scripps Institution of Oceanography). Alternate Names: Eel or California cusk-eel. In Mexico they’re [...]

Pacific Snake Eel

November 13, 2016 by kenjones
Snake Eels—Family Ophichthidae Pacific (Spotted) snake eel from the Hermosa Beach Pier in 2007 Species: Ophichthus triserialis (Kaup, 1856); Ophichthus, from two Greek words meaning serpent and fish, and the Greek triserialis, meaning three-rowed referring to the pattern of spots Alternate Names: Spotted Snake Eel. Identification: Typical snake or eel-like shape with a spike-like tail [...]

Yellow Snake Eel

November 13, 2016 by kenjones
Snake Eels—Family Ophichthidae Yellow snake eel caught by Fishy at the Balboa Pier in 2007 Species: Ophichthus zophochir (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882); Ophichthus, from two Greek words meaning serpent and fish, and the Greek zophochir, for darkness and hand (dark pectoral fins). Alternate Names: Eww, a snake!  Eww, a snake!  In Mexico called Tieso Amarillo; [...]
Newer posts »