E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Rhacochilus vacca (Girard, 1855)
Pile Perch
Family: Embiotocidae

Source: Distribution of Rhacochilus vacca as compiled by Aquamaps

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Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30; Vertebrae: 33 - 38. Above, dark gray or brown pigment with a silvery luster which dominates the color on sides and belly; darker blotches on the back and sides, dark vertical bars on juveniles; fins dusky (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Biology

Species Biology

Occurs in rocky shores, often around kelp, pilings and underwater structures (Ref. 2850). Feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, crabs and barnacles (Ref. 2850). Environment: demersal; marine; depth range ? - 46 m (Ref. 2850) Climate: subtropical

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Wrangell, southeastern Alaska to Guadalupe Island, off north-central Baja California, Mexico.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850)

Status Information

Origin Status	Provincial Status	BC List (Red Blue List)	COSEWIC
Native	SNR	No Status	Not Listed

BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Taxonomic and Nomenclatural Links

Genetic and lineage information (NCBI Taxonomy Browser)

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
University of Alaska Museum

Additional Photo Sources

Flickr Image Search
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Images from Calphoto

Related Databases

fishbase

General References

FishBase References
Google Scholar Search

Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 2025-06-23 11:07:08 AM]

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