Topsmelt

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Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis) are native to the west coast of North America, ranging from Baja California, Mexico to Vancouver Island in Canada. These fish have blue-gray to green coloration on their backs and silver bellies with an eye-catching stripe along their sides and thin, elongated bodies growing up to 14 inches. Topsmelt are highly tolerant of changes in salinity and can reside in highly saline (three times that of salt water) and low salinity (e.g., freshwater) waters. At their relatively small size, they are important prey fishes for numerous marine species including larger fishes, large mammals like sea lions and seals, and sea birds. Females attach eggs to spawning substrate in masses that connect eggs to one another with adhesive filaments.

Fun fact: Topsmelt diet varies by the region they inhabit. Estuarine topsmelt are predominantly herbivorous while kelp forest populations are omnivorous.