Rubberlip Surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes
Rubberlip Surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes. Fish caught from coastal waters off San Francisco, California, June 2014. Length: 38 cm (15 inches). Catch, photograph and identification courtesy of Eli (obsessiveangling.wordpress.com).
Rubberlip Surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes. Underwater photograph taken in the coastal waters off Monterey, California, February 2022. Photograph and identification courtesy of Bob Hillis, Ivins, Utah.
The Rubberlip Surfperch, Rhacochilus toxotes, is a member of the Surfperch or Embiotocidae Family, that are also known as the Buttermouth Perch, Liverlip, Porgee and Sprat and in Mexico as mojarra labios de hule and perca labios de hule. Their large fleshy lips give rise to their common name. Globally, there are two species in the genus Rhacochilus, and both are found in Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean and within this website.
The Rubberlip Surfperch has an elongated heavy body that has a body depth of 37% to 41% of standard length. Their head has a nearly straight profile a large mouth which has very thick very prominent protruding white or pink lips and a thin black mustache on top. Their lower jaw is slightly shorter than the upper jaw. A key to identification is that the first dorsal ray in shorter than the third. They vary in color but are generally whitish to brown to brassy with overtones of black dorsally and tan ventrally. Many have a black bar that extends from the middle of the dorsal fin to the front of the anal fin. Their pectoral fins are yellowish or gray. The juveniles have one or two vertical dusky bars on their bodies. They are covered with large scales. They have a prominent lateral line. Their anal fin has 3 spines and 27 to 30 rays; their caudal fin is moderately forked; their dorsal fin is continuous with 9 to 11 spines and 20 to 25 soft rays; and their pectoral fins have 21 to 24 rays. They have 26 to 28 gill rakers. They are covered with large scales. Their lateral line is prominent.
The Rubberlip Surfperch is an uncommon schooling species that are found within kelp forests, exposed and protected rocky shores, and tidal pools that have an abundance of vegetation and potential prey from the intertidal zone, over shallow sandy environments, to depths up to 80 m (262 feet). They are known to be found mixed in with Pile Perch, Rhacochilus vacca. The Rubberlip Surfperch is the largest of the Surf Perches that reach a maximum of 47 cm (18.5 inches) in length. As of January 1, 2024, the International Game Fish Association world record stood at 1.25 kg (2 lbs 12 oz) with the fish caught in coastal waters off Tiburon, California in April 2012. They primarily consume crams, octopus and shrimps. The juveniles feed on small crabs, mussels, snails and marine worms. In turn they are preyed upon by humans, kelp bass, lingcod, rockfishes and various sea birds. Reproduction is viviparous with internal fertilization each female giving birth, on average to twenty juveniles that average 3.5 inches in length, after a significant gestation period.
The Rubberlip Surfperch is most likely confused with the Pile Perch, Rhacochilus vacca (lacks very large fleshy lips; 18 to 22 gill rakers; deeply forked caudal fin).
The Rubberlip Surfperch is a resident of Mexican waters of the Pacific Ocean but has a limited distribution being found only from Cabo, Thurloe, Baja California Sur, northward along the central and northwest coasts of Baja.
From a conservation perspective the Rubberlip Surfperch has not been formally evaluated. They are a popular fish with both commercial fishermen and recreational anglers being caught off piers and rocky shore lines, primarily in northern California. As they are fairly large in stature they are consumed at some level as a food fish but are not esteemed.