Marine Life

Opaleye
(Girella nigricans)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

These perch-like fish have a gray to greenish coloration and can grow to 26 inches in length although 15 inches is a more common sight. Opaleye live anywhere from the intertidal zone to depths of 75 feet. The Opaleye will have bright blue eyes and a cream colored spot or two on their back, just below the dorsal fins. They are primarily vegetarian feeders but will occasionally take small invertebrates. These fish are preyed upon by eagles, osprey, cormorants, terns and, especially, the California Sea Lion. The Opaleye often pass on a disease that infects the sea lions lungs. This malady can eventually kill the pinniped.