kelp perch
Brachyistius frenatus
Small surfperch that lives among the giant kelp of the Mexican Pacific coast. It cleans other fish and forms large groups in summer.
Also called: perca-das-algas, mojarra sargacera, kelp perch
- maximum
- 22 cm
who is the kelp perch
Surfperch of the family Embiotocidae, small, reaching 22 cm, and viviparous: the female carries the young until birth. It lives among giant kelp, especially in the kelp canopy, down to 30 m deep. It occurs from northern British Columbia, in Canada, to central Baja California, in Mexico, including Guadalupe Island. It eats small crustaceans that live on the kelp and also cleans other fish, removing parasites from their skin. In summer it forms large aggregations. It is commercially fished and appears in public aquariums.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the kelp perch; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Cleans other fish, removing parasites from their skin.
identification
Small surfperch, olive or copper-toned above the lateral line, with dark pigment under each scale and a shine below it. The fins are pale or pinkish. On the same coast, the striped surfperch (Embiotoca lateralis) is larger, reaching 38 cm, and has blue stripes. The kelp perch reaches 22 cm.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
From northern British Columbia, in Canada, to central Baja California, including Guadalupe Island; in Latin America, only in Mexico, among giant kelp.
Habitat: Among giant kelp, mostly in the kelp canopy, down to 30 m deep.
rules for the kelp perch
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No recorded danger to anglers. It is harmless and small: release it quickly, with wet hands.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01318, b = 3.05; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Brachyistius frenatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Brachyistius frenatusNames by country and language.
