With many locals reporting seeing grunion runs in Malibu over the last few days, The Malibu Times is seeking photos/stories about the sightings. Email information to melissa@malibutimes.com.
Grunions, a type of marine fish found only off the coast of Baja and Southern California, have a highly unusual reproductive process, in that they come onto land to spawn. Females come first, digging holes and laying eggs, followed by males which fertilize the eggs. The reproductive events are known as grunion runs, which occur late at night, usually over two-hour intervals during a full moon when tides are most extreme.
Earlier this year, grunion were spotted at Surfrider Beach.Â
The fertilized orange grunion eggs that are left behind remain in the sand for two weeks, incubating completely out of water until another high tide comes in and they hatch, washing into the ocean.Â
The eggs are vulnerable during this period to humans stepping on them or dogs eating them, so people walking along the beach should take care to be careful where they walk and to watch their dogs.Â