Kelp Perch (Brachyistius frenatus) Kelp perch are like little gold coins, glittering as they dart and hover in schools, just below the kelp canopy. They are skittish, and reflect light well; it's tricky to capture their golden color. This kelp perch was enjoying a small stand of kelp off Sea Lion Beach, on the South (or "back") side of Anacapa Island. It seems like just about every group of fish has a species that begins with "kelp": kelp perch, kelp bass, kelp rockfish, kelp

Giant kelp (Macrocystis) can grow by splitting the frond on the top of a stalk, or "stipe", into many fronds.