Grunion classified in the family Atherinopsidae along with other New World silversides including the jacksmelt and topsmelt. The California grunion, "L. tenuis", is found along the Pacific Coast from Point Conception, California, to Punta Abreojos, Baja California Sur. They are rarely found between San Francisco in the north and San Juanico Bay, Baja California Sur, in the south. The Gulf grunion, "L. sardina", is found along the coast of Baja California in the Gulf of California. Inhabiting the nearshore waters from the surf to a depth of , marking experiments indicate they are not migratory. They are small, slender fish with
USS Grunion USS Grunion USS "Grunion" (SS-216) was a "Gato"-class submarine that was sunk at Kiska, Alaska, during World War II. She was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the grunion. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut on 1 March 1941. She was launched on 22 December 1941, (sponsored by Mrs. Stanford C. Hooper, wife of Rear Admiral Hooper), and commissioned on 11 April 1942 with Lieutenant Commander (Lt. Cmdr.) Mannert L. Abele, USNA class of 1926 in command. After shakedown out of New London, the "Grunion" sailed for