Common name : Gulf grunion
Scientific name : Leuresthes sardina
Family : Atherinopsidae
Native to : Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California
Interesting fact : Grunion runs are popular where people enjoy catching the spawning fish.
Conservation status : Near Threatened
Grunions are small, slender fish with blunt, rounded snouts. They have no teeth and feed on plankton. In an unusual mating ritual at high tide, females dig their tails into the sandy beaches to lay eggs and the eggs remain hidden for 10 days. At high tide, the eggs hatch and young ones are washed out to the sea.
