Fish Species

Surf Smelt

  • Scientific Name
    Hypomesus pretiosus
  • Native
    Yes
  • Identification

    Surf smelt. Location: Eureka Slough, Humboldt Bay, CA. Date: 2004. Photo by Mike Wallace, California Department of Fish and Game. Note: Scale in cm.
    Surf smelt. Location: Eureka Slough, Humboldt Bay, CA. Date: 2004. Photo by Mike Wallace, California Department of Fish and Game. Note: Scale in cm.

     

    • Small silvery fish, adipose fin present
    • Jaw teeth present, axillary process absent
    • Head more than 4 times as long as eye diameter, and less than 2.5 times as long as the longest anal fin ray
    • Lateral line scales: 53-60
    • Fin rays: anal 8
  • Life History

    Surf Smelt are primarily a marine species that are occasionally found in estuaries. They are capable of surviving in water with a salinity as low as 4 ppt. Surf Smelt provide an important commercial and sport fishery in California.

  • Links to Other Research
    N / A