Girella nigricans (Ayres, 1860)
Opaleye
Girella nigricans
photo by Shelton, J.

Family:  Girellidae (Nibblers)
Max. size:  66 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 10 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 2 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: San Francisco in California, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  A resident intertidal species with homing behavior (Ref. 32612). Can leave tide pools if aquatic conditions become inhospitable (Ref. 31184). Also found near or over rocks and in kelp beds up to about 30 m depth. Feed mainly on seaweed, occasionally takes invertebrates. Form dense schools in spring in kelp beds. Pelagic spawner (Ref. 56049). Breathe air when out of water (Ref. 31184). Considered an important game fish and may incidentally be caught in commercial fishing activities (Ref. 9310). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9310).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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