Striped bass, often called stripers or rockfish, are a highly sought-after sport fish along the Atlantic Coast, known for their powerful fights and impressive size. Distinguished by their dark horizontal stripes, these fish inhabit both freshwater and saltwater environments, migrating between rivers and the ocean. Understanding their unique biology, particularly their mouth structure, is important for safe handling.
The Truth About Striper Teeth
Striped bass possess teeth, though not the sharp, pointed teeth associated with predators like sharks. Their numerous, small teeth have a rasp-like, sandpaper-like texture. These teeth are found not only on the jaws but also on the tongue and roof of the mouth, specifically as two distinct patches on the back of the tongue. This unique dental arrangement is designed for gripping, not biting or tearing.
The small, rough teeth of a striped bass are primarily adapted for gripping. They secure slippery prey, preventing escape. Unlike fish that chew, stripers hold their catch before swallowing it whole. Teeth on the tongue and palate further enhance this gripping capability, ensuring a firm hold on active prey.
How Stripers Use Their Mouths for Feeding
The specialized mouth structure of a striped bass plays a direct role in its feeding strategy. As opportunistic predators, stripers consume a wide variety of prey, including baitfish, crabs, squid, and worms. Their specialized mouth structure, with rasp-like teeth, allows them to effectively secure these live food items before swallowing them whole.
Beyond the teeth, striped bass also possess gill rakers, bony or cartilaginous projections from their gill arches. While not involved in gas exchange, they serve an important function in feeding. These structures filter water and prevent larger food particles from passing through the gill slits, diverting them towards the esophagus. This dual mechanism of gripping teeth and filtering gill rakers allows stripers to efficiently capture and process their diverse diet.
Safe Handling Practices for Striped Bass
While striped bass have teeth, they pose minimal risk of a severe bite to humans due to their non-sharp, rasp-like nature. The primary concern when handling a striper is avoiding abrasions, sometimes called “bass thumb,” from their rough mouth surfaces. Anglers should always wet their hands before handling fish to protect the fish’s slime coat and reduce infection risk for both the fish and handler.
To safely manage a striped bass, consider using tools like lip grippers or de-hooking tools. When lifting a fish, support its weight horizontally by gripping the lower jaw and cradling its belly. Avoid holding larger fish vertically by the jaw alone, as this can cause internal damage. If a hook is deeply set, cut the line as close to the hook as possible, as most non-stainless hooks will rust out over time, improving the fish’s survival chances.