Popeye Catalufa
Pristigenys serrula
Its listed range reaches Monterey Bay, so California is inside it. A San Diego dive master told Nautical Nick it was exceptionally rare in San Diego before this El Niño, and it is not anymore. A diver who surveys giant sea bass in Southern California saw only 2 in about 700 hours underwater before this season.
Sightings
2026 season, numbered oldest first, every one sourced
- #6Nov 9, 20261 reportLa Jolla Canyon
Juvenile Photos: Jim Bremner- ID
- Nautical Nick
- Source
- Jim Bremner photo, sent to Nick, Nov 13
- #5Nov 9, 20261 reportLa Jolla ShoresJuvenile resting against a sand dollar on the sand dollar field, in strong surge
Juvenile Photos: Weiwei Gao- ID
- Weiwei Gao, checked by Nautical Nick
- Source
- Weiwei Gao photo and Instagram post, sent to Nick, Nov 12
- #4Nov 6, 20261 reportLa Jolla CanyonPhotos: Siobhan O'Neill (nudib1tch)
- #3Oct 30, 20261 reportSan Diego County
- Source
- iNaturalist 411906063
- #2Oct 30, 20261 reportLa Jolla CanyonJuvenile over sand among sand dollars
Juvenile Juvenile Photos: Jon Maglaya- ID
- Nautical Nick, from Jon Maglaya's photos
- Source
- Jon Maglaya photos, sent to Nick, Oct 30 and Nov 12
- #1Oct 23, 20261 reportSan Diego County
- Source
- iNaturalist 410797179
About this fish
What it is, where it comes from, and whether it has been here before
Where it normally lives
Monterey Bay, California, to Peru, including the Revillagigedo, Cocos and Galapagos islands.
Range source: FishBase · Ichthyopedia dossier: popeye catalufa
In California
No earlier California record is on file for this animal.
Photos
More of each life stage
The California photos sit with their numbered sightings above. If you photographed this animal in California this season, send it in.
Details
Rarity in the compendium is Nautical Nick's call on how likely a diver is to run into the animal on the California coast this season, not how rare it is where it normally lives.
Read the full Popeye Catalufa Ichthyopedia entry →