For the submarine, see USS Grunion (SS-216). NAYZA USS Grunion (SS-216) was a Gato-class submarine. ...

Grunion
California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis
Conservation status
Not evaluated
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Atheriniformes Family: Atherinopsidae Genus: Leuresthes Jordan & Gilbert, 1880
Species
L. tenuis, California grunion L. sardinas, Gulf grunion Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Families Suborder Bedotioidei Betodiidae Suborder Melanotaenioidei Melanotaeniidae (rainbowfishes) Pseudomugilidae (blue eyes) Suborder Atherinoidei Atherinidae (silversides) Notocheiridae Telmatherinidae (sailfin silversides) Dentatherinidae Phallostethidae Atheriniformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the silversides and several less-familiar families, including the unusual Phallostethidae. ... Genera See text. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ...

Grunion are two species of the genus Leuresthes: the California grunion, L. tenuis, and the Gulf grunion L. sardinas. They are sardine-sized teleost fish in the Atherinopsidae family of New World silversides. They are found only off the coast of California, USA and Baja California, Mexico (found on both the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California coasts). For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Sardines in the Pacific An open Sardines can Sardines on a plate grilled Sardines For the hide and seek-like game, see Hide and seek. ... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... Genera See text. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Frontispiece of Peter Martyr dAnghieras De orbe novo (On the New World). Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, 1722. ... Genera See text The silversides are a family, Atherinidae, of fish in the order Atheriniformes. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Location within Mexico Municipalities of Baja California Country Capital Municipalities 5 Largest City Tijuana Government  - Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán (PAN)  - Federal Deputies PAN: 8  - Federal Senators Alejandro González (PAN) Rafael Díaz (PAN) Fernando Castro (PRI) Area Ranked 12th  - Total 69,921 km² (26,996. ... The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or, much less frequently, Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. ...

Grunion are known for their very unusual mating ritual. At very high tides the females come up on sandy beaches and dig their tails into the sand to lay their eggs. A male then wraps himself around the female to deposit his sperm. For the next ten days the grunion eggs remain hidden in the sand, but at the next set of high tides the eggs hatch and the young grunion are washed out to sea. IT FEELS REALLY GOOD IF YOU IMATATE THE ANIMALS. LOL! “Mounting” redirects here. ... This article is about tides in the Earths oceans. ...

There is also a related species in the Gulf of California, the false grunion (Colpichthys regis) that looks very similar, but does not have the same breeding method. The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or, much less frequently, Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. ...

Natural history

Grunion were originally classified in Atherinidae, the family of silversides, but are now classified in the family Atherinopsidae, along with the other New World silversides, including the jacksmelt and topsmelt. The California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, is found along the Pacific Coast from Point Conception, California, to Point Abreojos, Baja California. They are rarely found from San Francisco on the north to San Juanico Bay, Baja California, on the south. The Gulf grunion, L. sardina, is found along the coast of Baja California in the Gulf of California. Genera See text The silversides are a family, Atherinidae, of fish in the order Atheriniformes. ... Genera See text The silversides are a family, Atherinidae, of fish in the order Atheriniformes. ... Genera See text. ... Frontispiece of Peter Martyr dAnghieras De orbe novo (On the New World). Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, 1722. ... The Pacific Coast is any coast fronting the Pacific Ocean. ... Point Conception extends into the Pacific Ocean in southwestern Santa Barbara County, California. ... Location within Mexico Municipalities of Baja California Country Capital Municipalities 5 Largest City Tijuana Government  - Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán (PAN)  - Federal Deputies PAN: 8  - Federal Senators Alejandro González (PAN) Rafael Díaz (PAN) Fernando Castro (PRI) Area Ranked 12th  - Total 69,921 km² (26,996. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or, much less frequently, Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. ...

They are small, slender fish with bluish green backs, silvery sides and bellies. Silversides differ from true smelts, family Osmeridae, in that they lack the trout-like adipose fin. They inhabit the nearshore waters from the surf to a depth of 60 feet (20 m). A description of their essential habitat would be the surf zone off sandy beaches. Marking experiments indicate that they are non-migratory. Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Biwa trout (or Biwa salmon), Oncorhynchus masou rhodurus Trout is the common name given to a number of species of freshwater fish belonging to the salmon family, Salmonidae. ... Fish anatomy is primarily governed by the physical characteristics of water, which is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs light more than does air. ...

Young grunion grow very rapidly and are about five inches long by the time they are one year old and ready to spawn. Grunion adults normally range in size from 5 to 6 inches (13 - 15 cm) with a maximum size recorded at 8.5 inches (La Jolla Ca.,05-11-05(19 cm). Average body lengths for males and females respectively are 4.5 and 5.0 inches (11.5 and 12.7 cm) at the end of one year, 5.5 and 5.8 inches (14.0 and 14.7 cm) at the end of two years, and 5.9 to 6.3 inches (15.0 to 16.0 cm) at the end of three years. The normal life span is two or three years, but individuals four years old have been found. The growth rate slows after the first spawning and stops completely during the spawning season. Consequently, adult fish grow only during the fall and winter. This growth rate variation causes annuli to form on the scales, which have been used for aging purposes.

California grunion spawning

Female grunion getting ready to mate

California grunion spawn at night on the beach, from two to six nights after the full and new moon, beginning a little after high tide and continuing for several hours. As a wave breaks on the beach, the grunion swim as far up the slope as possible. The female arches her body, keeping her head up, and excavates the semi-fluid sand with her tail. As her tail sinks, the female twists her body and digs tail first until she is buried up to her pectoral fins. After the female is in the nest, up to eight males attempt to mate with her by curving around the female and releasing their milt as she deposits her eggs about four inches below the surface. After spawning, the males immediately retreat toward the ocean. The milt flows down the female’s body until it reaches the eggs and fertilizes them. The female twists free and returns to the sea with the next wave. The whole event can happen in 30 seconds, but some fish remain on the beach for several minutes. (The Gulf grunion spawns during the daytime, and has smaller eggs.) Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Frog spawn Spawning is the production or depositing of eggs in large numbers by aquatic animals. ... For other uses, see Full Moon. ... The lunar phase depends on the Moons position in orbit around Earth. ... Milt is the seminal fluid of fish, mollusks, and certain other water-dwelling animals who reproduce by spraying milt onto roe (fish eggs). ...

Spawning may continue from March through August, with possibly an occasional extension into February and September. However, peak spawning is from late March through early June. Once mature, an individual may spawn during successive spawning periods at about 15-day intervals. Most females spawn about six times during the season. Counts of maturing ova to be laid at one spawning ranged from about 1,600 to about 3,600, with the larger females producing more eggs. A female might lay as many as 18,000 eggs over an entire season. The milt from the male might contain as many as one million sperm. Males may participate in several spawnings per run. For other uses, see Sperm (disambiguation). ...

The eggs incubate a few inches deep in the sand above the level of subsequent waves. They are not immersed in seawater, but are kept moist by the residual water in the sand. While incubating, they are subject to predation by shore birds and sand-dwelling invertebrates. Under normal conditions, they do not have an opportunity to hatch until the next tide series high enough to reach them, in 10 or more days. Grunion eggs can extend incubation and delay hatching if tides do not reach them, for an additional four weeks after this initial hatching time. Most of the eggs will hatch in 10 days if provided with the seawater and agitation of the rising surf. The mechanical action of the waves is the environmental trigger for hatching, and the rapidity of hatch, in less than one minute, indicates that it is probably not an enzymatic function of softening the chorion, as in some other fishes.

The hatching of grunion eggs can be watched by collecting a cluster of eggs after a grunion run and keeping them in a loosely covered container of damp sand in a cool spot for 10 - 15 days. Then, add one teaspoon of sand and eggs to one cup of sea water and shake gently; the eggs will hatch before your eyes in a few minutes.

Grunion food habits are not well-known. They have no teeth, and feed on very small organisms, such as plankton. In a laboratory setting, grunion eat live brine shrimp. Humans, larger fish, and other animals prey upon grunion. An isopod, two species of flies, sandworms, and a beetle have been found preying on the eggs. Some shorebirds such as egrets and herons prey on grunion when the fish are on shore during spawning. Seagulls, sea lions and sand sharks have also been observed feeding on grunion during a grunion run. The reduction of spawning habitat, due to beach erosion, harbor construction, and pollution is probably the most critical problem facing the grunion resource. For non-zoological information on this animal as a pet, see Sea-Monkey. ... SubOrders Anthuridea Asellota Calabozoida Epicaridea Flabellifera Microcerberidea Oniscidea Phreatoicidea Valvifera Isopods are one of the most diverse orders of Crustaceans, with many species living in all environments, and are common in shallow marine waters. ... A sandworm is a Polychaete in the genus Nereis. ... For other uses, see Beetle (disambiguation). ... Families Charadridae Jacanidae Rostratulidae Ibidorhynchidae Recurvirostridae Haematopodidae Scolopacidae Dromadidae Burhinidae Glareolidae Thinocoridae Waders, called Shorebirds in North America (where wader is used to refer to long-legged wading birds such as storks and herons), are members of the order Charadriiformes, excluding the more marine web-footed seabird groups. ... an egret and a fish Genera Egretta Ardea An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. ... For other uses, see Heron (disambiguation). ... Seagull or Seagulls may refer to: Gull, a family of seabird, members of which are often called seagulls. ... For other uses, see Sea Lion (disambiguation). ... Genera Carcharias Odontaspis Sand sharks, or sand tigers, are lamniform sharks of the family Odontaspididae (or sometimes referred to as Carchariidae). ... For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ... Air pollution Pollution is the introduction of pollutants (whether chemical substances, or energy such as noise, heat, or light) into the environment to such a point that its effects become harmful to human health, other living organisms, or the environment. ...

Tides, the phases of the moon, and grunion runs

Status of the population

Despite local concentrations, the grunion is not an abundant species. While the population size is not known, all research points to a rather restricted resource that is adequately maintained at current harvest rates under existing regulations.

Grunion fishing

Grunion must be caught by hand

In the 1920s, the recreational fishery was showing definite signs of depletion, and a regulation was passed in 1927 establishing a closed season of three months, April through June. The fishery improved, and in 1947, the closure was shortened to April through May. This closure is still in effect to protect grunion during the peak spawning period. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A fishing license is required for persons 16 years and older to capture grunion. Grunion may be taken by sport fishermen using their hands only. No appliances of any kind may be used to catch grunion, and no holes may be dug in the beach to entrap them. Grunion may be taken March 31 through June 1. There is no limit, but take only what you can use. It is unlawful to waste fish.^{[citation needed]} With these regulations, the resource seems to be maintaining itself at a fairly constant level. While the population size is not known, all research points to a rather restricted resource that is appropriately harvested under existing law. Sport fishing is a popular attraction in Cabo San Lucas Sport fishing is a term (often used interchangeably with game fishing) that describes recreational fishing where the primary reward is the challenge of finding and catching the fish rather than the culinary or financial value of the fishs flesh. ... is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Suggestions for a good grunion run

The ends of long, unlit sandy beaches are often the best locations, and it helps to try to find a spot with fewer people. When there are too many grunion hunters, it is easy for the fish to be spooked and not come ashore. Campfires, lanterns, and flashlights should be used sparingly. Any light on the beach may scare the fish so they will not come out of the water. Have patience, since many people will give up after waiting for just an hour, even though there are several hours during which the grunion may run.

Cooking grunion

Grunion are moderately fatty and taste similar to smelt. You should remove the grunion's head, scales, and innards first before cooking. They may be sautéed, deep fried, barbecued, or broiled. One suggestion is to roll the grunion in a mixture of flour and yellow corn meal with a little salt, then deep fry or pan fry until golden brown. Genera Allosmerus Hypomesus Mallotus Osmerus Spirinchus Thaleichthys Smelts are a family, Osmeridae, of small anadromous fish. ... Sautéing is a method of cooking food using a small amount of fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat. ... Plantains frying in vegetable oil. ... A barbecue in a public park in Australia A barbecue on a trailer at a block party in Kansas City Pans on the top shelf hold hamburgers and hot dogs that were grilled earlier when the coals were hot. ... Broiling is cooking food with high heat with the heat applied directly to the food. ...

Another suggestion (from Larry Fukuhara, programs director for the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium): Dip the fish in flour, then place it in a frying pan with olive oil. Add garlic, chopped onions, and celery and cook the fish until they are browned on each side. Add a bit of lemon juice, a splash of red wine, and the secret ingredient: honey. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is an aquarium in San Pedro, California, a community within Los Angeles. ...

History

The coastal Indians in California harvested grunion during spawning runs. Archeologists have found fossil grunion otoliths (tiny, bonelike particles or stony platelike structures in the internal ear of lower vertebrates) at various Indian campsites. For referencing in Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Citing sources. ...

Grunion were mentioned by Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo in his ship's log (circa 1542). Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, in Portuguese João Rodrigues Cabrilho, (ca 1499–January 3, 1543) was an explorer noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America while sailing for Spain. ... Events War resumes between Francis I of France and Emperor Charles V. This time Henry VIII of England is allied to the Emperor, while James V of Scotland and Sultan Suleiman I are allied to the French. ...

Scientists first identified grunion in San Francisco Bay in 1860 (Ayres, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (Ser. 1) v. 2). San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and the Golden Gate San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ...

Trivia

• Music: Frank Zappa wrote a song named "Grunion Run" (originally released as a single by The Hollywood Persuaders), and so has Jonathan Richman ("Grunion Run" on his album "I, Jonathan"). There have also been "Grunion Run" songs by Peter Yates, the Halibuts and the Insect Surfers. Sandra Tsing Loh, on her "Pianovisions" album has "Night of the Grunion," a jazz piano solo performed by her and a chamber orchestra at Malibu Beach in 1989.
• Television: Three episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies (originally aired in 1971) were about an expected grunion run ("The Grunion Invasion", "The Girls from Grun", and "The Grun Incident"). The Hillbillies prepare for an invasion of grunion, which they think are foreign invaders.
• Television: An episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 had the gang at the beach during a grunion run.
• Television: An episode of Three's Company where Larry's sister visited included a grunion run, which (in the series' signature style) had everyone suspect Jack of trying to woo her.
• Television: A humorous reference was made to the unusual--albeit necessary--technique for catching grunion toward the end of the Walker, Texas Ranger episode "The Siege."
• Poetry: Charles Bukowski in his book "Mockingbird Wish Me Luck" (Black Sparrow Press 1972) had a couple of poems about grunion runs, "the hunt" and "grab for grunion". Below is an excerpt from "the hunt" [1]:

and the grunion ran again

through the oily sea

to plant eggs on shore and be caught

by unemployed drunks

with flopping canvas hats

and no woman at all.

• Movies: Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead features a romantic scene amidst a grunion mating
• Books: F. Scott Fitzgerald included a scene in which the two main characters are on the beach during grunion mating season in his final unfinished novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon.

Frank Vincent Zappa[1] (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, musician, and film director. ... Jonathan Richman (born 16 May 1951) is an American proto-punk musician. ... Sandra Tsing Loh (born 11 February 1962) is a Los Angeles, California-based author, actress and radio commentator. ... For the 1993 film, see The Beverly Hillbillies (film) The Beverly Hillbillies was an American television program about a hillbilly family transplanted in Southern California. ... Beverly Hills, 90210 is a primetime television soap opera that aired from October 4, 1990, to May 17, 2000, on FOX in the United States and subsequently on various networks around the world. ... Threes Company is an American sitcom that ran from 1977 to 1984 on ABC. It is a remake of the British sitcom Man About the House. ... Walker, Texas Ranger is an American television western/police dramatic series, created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. ... Bukowski redirects here. ... Dont Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead is a 1991 comedy film directed by Stephen Herek. ... Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an American Jazz Age author of novels and short stories. ... The Love of The Last Tycoon: A Western is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published posthumously. ...

References

• Paul A. Gregory, California’s Marine Living Resources: A Status Report - Grunion, California Department of Fish and Game, December 2001.
• California Grunion Facts and Expected Runs for 2005, California Department of Fish and Game.

Note: much of this article is from the two public domain references above.

External links

• grunion.org
• Grunion Greeters (volunteer observers)
• The Amazing Grunion
• California Grunion Facts and Runs for 2006
• The Cabrillo Museum Grunion Programs in San Pedro, California
• Does Beach Grooming Harm Grunion Eggs?
• Fishbase Leuresthes tenuis (Ayres 1860) California grunion
• Fishbase Leuresthes sardina (Jenkins & Evermann 1889) Gulf grunion
• Fishbase Colpichthys regis (Jenkins & Evermann, 1889) False grunion
• Decoding the Grunion's Ways - LA Times article