The California roach is a fish native to western North America and abundant in the intermittent streams throughout central California. This fish is of a relatively chunky body shape, with a largish head and large eyes, but a small mouth oriented downwards. Color is a darker grayish-bluish above, and a dull silver underneath. They never get large, the maximum known being about 11 cm. They are mainly bottom feeders.
Fun Fact California roaches seem to be a resilient species that takes advantage of the intermittent waters of central California under conditions too difficult for other fishes. As the springtime streams dry up in summer, roaches accumulate in large number in pools, which may be alkaline, hot (up to 95 degrees F), and low in oxygen. They also seem to cope well with sewage-polluted waters.