Sarah Houston | Writer
May 27, 2025
Grunions, although weird in name, have an interesting tradition behind them. Grunions are small, silver fish that are found along the coast of Southern California and Northern Baja California. First described in 1854, these fish have been around for centuries and were likely utilized by Native Americans in their daily lives. What’s so interesting about grunions is their mating ritual, which happens during high tide on a new or full moon. To see this ritual in action one must be patient for when it is at its peak, which is around midnight. Under the cover of darkness, the female grunions will burrow into the sand outside of the water with their tails in the sand and their heads sticking straight up. The male grunion meets the female and a few days later the eggs are laid.
This ritual done by the fish helps bring the oceanfront community together when groups gather to watch this take place. Many bring blankets and drinks, camping out just to see this. Those who find it particularly interesting are able to join a group that lets anyone watch these fish and their habits, and then they can report their findings and numbers back for scientists to use. This helps broaden our understanding of not only this species but other marine life.
Along with bringing the community together through viewing, many partake in catching these fish to use as bait. However, there is a closed season in April-May where people are asked not to catch these fish or to only use hand catching to help grow their population.
Every once in a while the State Parks foundation will hold a grunion run where the community is given the opportunity to “hatch the [baby grunions] in jars” to be released in the ocean and observe all the cool wildlife. Ms. Brislen, the IB Marine teacher here at SCHS, said she is “surprised at how many people came out to see it” because it is not something that is talked about a lot. Many of the students went along with Ms. Brislen during the last grunion run, including junior Emi Dongelman. She described it as “very fun and the fact that [they] got to do it at night was very exciting.” This is a great activity to help bring the community together and educate the public on marine habits that are on our door steps. So if you are ever bored late at night on a full moon, stopping by the beach may give you a glimpse of one of nature’s many wonders: the grunion run.
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