Inhabits exposed sandy shorelines to shallow depths.  Feeds on sand-dwelling crustaceans and mollusks.

While almost all other marine fishes fertilize and scatter large numbers of eggs outside the body, the surfperch nourishes offspring inside the ovary and spawns them live and sexually active into the surf.

A favorite sport fish for surf anglers.  Edibility is very good.

Range is from Vancouver Island to Central California.