Grunion

[RogerCook]

Here are some shots taken of a Grunion run last week. This is the first time I've witnessed this but had wanted to see it ever since I was a kid, I now live within walking distance of a beach where they run so I went down to see the event. I did a little research on these fish and found out they only appear in California and Mexico so I'll explain a bit of what happens, the fish come onshore at the extreme high tide of the month and deposit there eggs in the sand and then the male fertilizes them. The eggs sit there until another high tide uncovers them and this activates them to hatch. The first two times they were supposed to run there were only a couple of fish seen however the third time was a charm and there were fish everywhere as you can see in the photos. The photos were taken with a combination of flash and a high powered flashlight. Enjoy!

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[kdoc856]

Fascinating, Roger. Whats species is this?

[HMW12]

The same thing happens in NFLD with capelin.

[rpcrowe]

Fascinating, Roger. Whats species is this?

The California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) is a member of the New World silversides family, Atheriniopsidae, along with jacksmelt and topsmelt. Their usual range extends from Point Conception, California, to Point Abreojos, Baja California.

It is legal to harvest some of these fish but, the fisher-person must:
1. have a valid California fishing license (when fishing on a California beach)
2. pick up the grunion with the hands, not with a net, scoop or other device

They are really quite decent to eat. I have also used them for bait when fishing for larger fish...

BTW: Nice images of a difficult subject

[RogerCook]

Fascinating, Roger. Whats species is this?

Grunion Fish they run from April - June and with a valid fishing licence you may catch them using only your hands in the months of March June and July. Some people evidently eat them but there so small (6"-8") that you can't fillet them.