Walleye Surfperch

Hyperprosopon argenteum

The Walleye Surfperch is a reef fish native to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a range extending from Vancouver Island in Canada to Central Baja California, Mexico. This species is characterized by its oval, compressed body and notably large eyes, which facilitate its primarily nocturnal feeding habits. Its silver body is accented by faint dusky shading on the back, and it can be identified by the black tips on its pelvic fins and the black borders on its tail and anal fins, distinguishing it from the Silver Surfperch. These fish are typically found in the surf zone along sandy beaches, often in proximity to rocks and piers. They are known to form dense schools and inhabit depths up to 18 meters. Their diet mainly consists of small crustaceans and zooplankton. Reproduction occurs in the fall and early winter, with females giving birth to live young in the spring, showcasing pair-bonding behavior during the breeding season. Divers may encounter Walleye Surfperch in large schools, sometimes alongside other surfperch species. Although not assessed by the IUCN, they are a popular target for recreational fishing in California due to their abundance and ease of capture.