Striped Bass (Anadromous)

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

The striped bass, also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass.

Source: Wikipedia — Striped bass · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Streamlined silvery fish with distinct 6–9 horizontal dark stripes along sides; large head; deeply forked tail.

Similar species. White Bass (smaller; freshwater; similar pattern). White Perch (smaller, lacks distinct stripes).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Smaller fish (anchovies, menhaden, herring), crustaceans, squid.

Behavior. Famous Atlantic gamefish that experienced one of the most successful US fishery recoveries. Atlantic populations crashed in 1970s–80s; major management actions (size limits, moratoria) rebuilt stock to historic levels by 1995. Most-targeted recreational fish on US Atlantic coast. Landlocked populations introduced to many freshwater reservoirs across the US; some have established self-sustaining populations.

§ Range

Atlantic coast

§ Habitat

Atlantic Ocean and tidal rivers

§ Threats

Habitat loss, dams, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the striped bass (anadromous) is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support coastal habitat conservation. Practice catch-and-release.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Striped bass
• www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Morone saxatilis
• IUCN Red List · taxon 61367
• iNaturalist · taxon 49619
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Morone saxatilis

§ Sources cited

• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
• NOAA Fisheries
• American Fisheries Society
• IUCN Red List 2013