Scientific Name
Hypomesus pretiosus

Common Name
Surf smelt

Biology
Individuals 3.5 cm may ascend rivers, presumably returning to the sea shortly after (Ref. 27547). Presumably young move offshore and reappear inshore as mature adults (Ref. 27547). At sea, they feed on small crustaceans, worms and jellyfish, as well as larval fishes (Ref. 6885, 10276). Females reach age 3, males age 2 (Ref. 27547). Oviparous, with demersal eggs and planktonic larvae (Ref. 35792). Eggs are laid on beaches with heavy surf action (Ref. 33312).

Classification

Classified By

Girard, 1854

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Smelts (Osmeriformes)

Family

Smelts (Osmeridae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Prince William Sound, Gulf of Alaska to Long Beach, southern California, USA. Reports from the western Pacific are misidentifications of Hypomesus japonicus.

Range

57°N - 34°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

Unknown

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.5 cm

Common Length

15.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

Unknown

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Unknown

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated