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 it on a Japanese naval historical website, asking if anyone could help. He was contacted by Yutaka Iwasaki, a Japanese naval historian, who not only authenticated it, but suggested he knew what happened to the "Grunion". Lane contacted ComSubPac, and their public affairs officer, Darrel Ames, posted the information on ComSubPac’s "Grunion" website. When the "Grunion" disappeared in 1942, her captain, Lt Cmdr Abele, left behind three sons – Bruce, Brad, and John. For nearly 65 years they had been searching for information about the loss of their father’s boat. When the Abele brothers encountered the post, they contacted Yutaka