Fish · GBIF taxon 2412217
California Grunion
Leuresthes tenuisThe California Grunion is a slender silvery fish famous for leaving the water to spawn on sandy beaches during nighttime high tides. Females bury eggs in wet sand while males curve around them, and later tides release the hatched young.
Coastal FishBeach SpawnerTidal Life Cycle
1 / 4—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Plankton
- Copepods
- Small crustaceans
Predators
- Shorebirds
- Larger fish
- Marine mammals
ThreatsBeach disturbance, artificial light, shoreline alteration, trampling, harvest pressure, and changing tides
HabitatsNearshore coastal water and gently sloping sandy beaches used for spawning
Life spanUsually three to four years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAtherinopsidae
- SpeciesLeuresthes tenuis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- During spawning runs, avoid touching fish, digging wet sand, or blocking their return to water.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Observe only during forecast run windows and permitted access periods.
- Lighting: Use minimal red light and avoid flash photography.
- Footing: Stand back from active spawning patches and buried eggs.
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