Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
 
 
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Salema

Xenistius californiensis

   

Fun Facts

    These fish have an up-turned mouth to better eat plankton.

   

   
 

Description

 
 
Salema are often seen in large schools milling over and among rocks, in the kelp, around docks and piers from Monterey Bay to Peru.  Growing up to 10 inches in length, they have six to eight orange-brown stripes running down their blue-green body.  Their upturned mouth is ideally suited for plankton feeding.  Juveniles are usually found in late summer and usually feed on amphipod crustaceans. 
 
Salema are usually found at the Aquarium in tank number 24.

 
   
 
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