No pigmentation at hatching. Juveniles Figure 25-26. Many juveniles were collected in Capell Creek in summer months, and spawning was estimated to have occurred in April and May. Spawning in the San Joaquin River at Millerton Lake may be variable, because of the colder water from the upper basin draining through Kerckhoff Dam. Male fish construct a nest 30-60 cm in diameter in shallow water with a sandy to rocky bottom.
Eggs are demersal and adhesive, and attach to rocky surfaces in the nest.
Finally, the larvae and juveniles disperse into shallow waters. Juveniles are solitary in sandy pools, such as in Capell Creek of Lake Berryessa and Temperance Flat of Millerton Lake in summer months.