Scientific Name
Girella nigricans

Common Name
Opaleye

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).

Classification

Classified By

Ayres, 1860

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Sea chubs (Kyphosidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Central Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Central Pacific: San Francisco in California, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico.

Range

38°N - 23°N, 125°W - 106°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

33 °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; non-migratory; depth range 2 - 30 m (Ref. 9310), usually 2 - 6 m (Ref. 9310)

Trophic Level

2.21 s.e. 0.14 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

66.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2.5; tmax=10)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)