Rhacochilus toxotes

The rubberlip surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes, is a surfperch of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the largest member of its family by weight, reaching about 2.25 kilograms, while only the barred surfperch grows longer, to about 47 centimetres in total length. It was first described in 1854 by the Swiss-American naturalist Louis Agassiz. The genus name combines Greek and Latin roots for a big tear and a lip, and the species name alludes to the archerfish family. It is deep bodied and laterally compressed, with large fleshy white or pink lips, often a dark band along each side, and a brown to brassy colour. Like other surfperch it is viviparous and gives birth to live young. It ranges from the tip of Baja California Sur to Mendocino County in northern California, living near rocky reefs and kelp and feeding at night on small invertebrates such as amphipods, crabs and mollusks.