Marine Life

Salema
(Xenistius californiensis)
Courtesy of Tom Haight

This beautiful schooling fish has six to eight yellow to orange stripes down its side. Salemas are found in shallow water usually around rocky reefs or kelp beds. You will not see them schooling at night though when they disperse and feed by themselves. Salema feed primarily on shrimp, worms and amphipods. This fish will grow to a length of 12 inches and can be found from Baja California in the South and as far North as Monterey, California. Salema will often be seen swimming with both Sargo and Croaker.