How to Identify Striped Bass

To identify Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

torpedo

Coloration

Silvery sides with a white belly, and a dark, olive-green to bluish-black back. Seven or eight prominent, unbroken horizontal dark stripes run from behind the gills to the base of the tail.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Seven or eight prominent, unbroken dark longitudinal stripes on the sides., Two separate dorsal fins: the first spiny, the second soft-rayed., Large, terminal mouth., Body is robust and elongated.

Dorsal fin

Two dorsal fins; the first is spiny with 8-10 spines, and the second is soft-rayed with 10-13 rays. The two fins are distinctly separated.

Tail fin

Moderately forked caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Relatively short, located low on the body.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin has 3 spines and 7-13 soft rays. Pelvic fins are thoracic.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Stripes

   Count the number of distinct, unbroken dark stripes. Striped Bass typically have 7-8 prominent stripes that extend from the gill plate to the tail. These stripes are generally continuous, unlike some similar species.

2. 2

   Dorsal Fins

   Observe the two dorsal fins. In Striped Bass, they are clearly separated. The first dorsal fin is spiny, and the second is soft-rayed.

3. 3

   Body Shape

   The body is elongated and robust, tapering towards the tail. It is not as deep-bodied as some other bass species.

4. 4

   Anal Fin Spines

   The anal fin typically has 3 spines, a key characteristic for distinguishing it from some other Morone species.

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