The Rubberlip Seaperch – Rhacochilus toxotes is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Embiotocidae. This fish is known for its distinctive rubbery lips and its unique reproductive strategies.
Description & Characteristics
The Rubberlip Seaperch – Rhacochilus toxotes can grow to a maximum size of 47.0 cm. Its body is elongated and compressed laterally, with a prominent dorsal fin that extends nearly the entire length of its back. The fish’s coloration is typically brown or olive green with dark blotches or stripes, and its distinctive rubbery lips give it its common name.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Rubberlip Seaperch – Rhacochilus toxotes inhabits coastal waters, primarily in rocky reefs, kelp forests, and sandy bottoms. It can be found at depths ranging from 1.0 to 50.0 meters, making it a resident of both the intertidal zone and the neritic zone. Their distribution includes the eastern Pacific Ocean, extending from Oregon to Baja California, making them a common sight in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomy
The species Rhacochilus toxotes belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis, and Family: Embiotocidae. This classification places it within a diverse group of fish that are known for their unique reproductive strategies, including live birth.
Feeding
The Rubberlip Seaperch – Rhacochilus toxotes is a carnivore that primarily feeds on zooplankton. This diet consists of small crustaceans, worms, and other microscopic organisms, making it an important part of the marine food web.
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