Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body slightly elongate, slender; color silver with dusky back, white belly; 7-8 dark horizontal stripes on sides, several reaching to tail; dorsal and caudal fins dusky; 2 dorsal fins separate at bases; 2 long tooth patches midline towards back of tongue; 2nd anal spine 1/2 the length of 3rd spine (2/3 in juveniles); 2 flat spines on opercle; lateral line extends onto caudal fin. |
Similar Species |
White bass have deeper bodies, with faint lines, only 1 reaching tail, 1 flat spines (though sometimes 2) on opercle (2 in striped bass), 1 tooth patch on tongue (2 in striped bass), and 2nd anal spine is 2/3 length of 3rd spine (1/2 in striped bass); hybrid striped bass have the deeper body like white bass, 2 tooth patches like striped bass, distinct lines, many broken, several that reach the tail, 2nd anal spine 2/3 length of 3rd spine like white bass. |
Habitat |
Gulf, bay, freshwater |
Maximum Size |
200 cm (6 1/2 ft), common to 120 cm (4 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. IX+I,12; A. III,11 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
striper |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
Anadromous, lives in saltwater, spawns up rivers in freshwaters |
State size/bag limits |
Minimum size 18 in.; bag limit is 5 (includes any hybrids); Check for state record. |