Fish larvae and juveniles were collected in the waters of wading depth along sandy beaches of western Japan with a 0.7-mm-mesh, 1.3- by 5-m seine. Presence of Chanos chanos, Salangichthys microdon, Plecoglossus altivelis, Allanetta bleekeri, Gerres oyena, Sparus sarba, Acanthopagrus schlegeli, A. latus, and Lateolabrax latus and absence of Engraulis japonica, Gonorhynchus abbreviatus, Upeneus bensasi, and Macrorhamphosus scolopax distinguished the larval ichthyofauna of surf zones from those in other known biotopes of fish nursery. The surfichthyofauna was usually more diverse in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. Monthly total catches of individuals fluctuated greatly according to the abundances of a few influential species such as Clupanodon punctatus in spring and Plecoglossus altivelis in autumn to winter. Most larval fishes seemed to inhabit surf zones only during daytime. An influence of tidal phases on occurrence of larval fishes was not apparent. Categories of pelagic and demersal components were suggested for surf zone ichthyofauna.