Side by Side

Barred Surfperch Amphistichus argenteus

Typical: 9–14 in, 0.5–1.5 lb

Quickest tell: The deep, compressed silvery body with vertical bars and a small barbel-less mouth separates it from the elongated, single-chin-barbel Corbina.

• Silvery, deep oval compressed body with olive-green back
• About 8-10 dusky vertical bars on the sides (may be faint)
• Brassy/yellow flecks scattered between the bars
• Single continuous dorsal fin, spiny front grading into soft rear
• Small terminal mouth, no chin barbel

Full Barred Surfperch guide — season, gear and rules →

Corbina Menticirrhus undulatus

Typical: 14–22 in, 1–4 lb

Quickest tell: The single chin barbel under the lower jaw plus the elongated body separate California Corbina from the deeper-bodied, barbel-less Barred Surfperch.

• Elongated, slightly rounded silvery-gray body, darker on the back
• Single short fleshy barbel under the tip of the lower jaw
• Faint wavy/diagonal markings, no strong vertical bars
• Underslung (subterminal) mouth for bottom feeding
• Long low first dorsal and small head

Full Corbina guide — season, gear and rules →

When Each Is Running July — current month highlighted

Where Barred Surfperch and Corbina Overlap

Both run in Southern California — that is where telling them apart actually matters.

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