Rocky Intertidal Zone

Rocky intertidal habitats are small living spaces occupied by a variety of fishes either year-round as residents or temporarily as visitors. The rocky intertidal zone represents in part a shoreward extension of subtidal rocky reefs, and the intertidal fish fauna comprises those inshore species that to varying degrees have colonized this extreme, partially terrestrial habitat. This chapter describes the main features of rocky shores as habitats for fishes followed first by the vertical and horizontal distribution patterns of the associated fauna then by the behavioral, physiological, and reproductive traits of the fishes, with an emphasis on resident species; and, finally, by an account of the structure and dynamics of intertidal fish communities. Californian intertidal fishes are relatively well known in certain ways and are referenced in several other places.