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Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) — Moronidae

Striped bass

Morone saxatilis
Family: Moronidae
LC · Least Concern

The Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Moronidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
30.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The striped bass is a robust, silvery bass of the family Moronidae reaching about 2 metres. The streamlined body bears seven or eight unbroken dark lengthwise stripes along the silvery flank. The species is anadromous: adults live in coastal water and estuaries along the east coast of North America and run up the rivers in spring to spawn in fresh water. In fast schools it hunts schooling fish, shrimps, crabs and other crustaceans. It is one of the most popular saltwater sport fish of North America, is fished commercially and farmed, and has also been introduced elsewhere. With its firm, white flesh it is a highly prized food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped bass?

The Striped bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Striped bass live?

The Striped bass lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Striped bass get?

The Striped bass grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 120 cm.

Is the Striped bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped bass is harmless to humans.

Is the Striped bass edible?

Yes, the Striped bass is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte zeebaars inferred
English name
Striped bass verified
Scientific name
Morone saxatilis
Family
Moronidae
Other names
Rockfish; Roccus; Rock verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Average length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline verified
Substrate
Open water verified
Min depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Schooling verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
30.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized verified
Fishing method
Werpen of slepend vissen met kunstaas of een aasvis in de branding en estuaria; een van de populairste zeesportvissen van Noord-Amerika sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Morone

More from the family Moronidae

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