The “striper” is a popular fish among anglers and seafood enthusiasts. Its distinctive appearance and behavior often lead to inquiries about this aquatic species. This article explores its identity, physical traits, habitat, lifestyle, and how to differentiate it from similar species.
Identity of the Striper
The term “striper” is a common name for the striped bass, a fish formally identified by the scientific name Morone saxatilis. This species belongs to the Moronidae family, which encompasses temperate basses. The striped bass is a prized game fish, popular among recreational and commercial fishers due to its size, strength, and the sporting challenge it offers.
Distinctive Physical Traits
Its body is elongated and streamlined, featuring a silvery-white belly that transitions to an olive-green, steel blue, black, or brown back. The most distinguishing feature is the presence of seven to eight dark, unbroken horizontal stripes running along each side of its body, extending from behind the gills to the base of the tail. This fish possesses two distinct dorsal fins, with the first being spiny and the second soft-rayed, separated by a noticeable space. While juveniles are smaller, mature striped bass can reach up to 5 feet (60 inches) in length and weigh as much as 77 pounds. The average expected size for a striped bass is typically between 5 to 10 pounds, though some historical records indicate individuals exceeding 100 pounds.
Habitat and Lifestyle
Striped bass exhibit an anadromous lifestyle, meaning they live primarily in saltwater but migrate to freshwater rivers to spawn. Their natural geographical range extends along the Atlantic Coast of North America, from the St. Lawrence River in Canada down to Florida, and into the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Louisiana. Introduced populations also thrive in various inland lakes and reservoirs across the United States, as well as along the West Coast.
During spring, mature striped bass migrate from oceanic waters into rivers for spawning, moving north along the coast in summer and south in winter. They are predatory fish, feeding on a variety of smaller fish such as herring, menhaden, and shad, along with crustaceans like crabs and squid. Younger striped bass often display schooling behavior to hunt and travel.
Distinguishing from Look-Alikes
Differentiating a true striped bass from similar-looking species, such as white bass (Morone chrysops) and hybrid striped bass, requires attention to specific details. The most reliable identifier for a pure striped bass is the presence of two distinct tooth patches located on the back of its tongue. In contrast, white bass typically have only one central tooth patch.
Regarding stripe patterns, striped bass display seven to eight continuous, unbroken horizontal lines along their sides. White bass, however, often have fainter stripes, with only one typically extending all the way to the tail. Hybrid striped bass, a cross between striped bass and white bass, usually exhibit stripes that are broken or irregular, particularly below the lateral line.
Furthermore, while striped bass have an elongated, streamlined body, white bass tend to be deeper-bodied and more compressed, and hybrid striped bass often possess a thicker body with broader shoulders.