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Artwork: Joann Wheeler 1999 |
Fast
Fact:
Also known as the rockfish or striper, this is
Maryland's most important commercial and recreational fish species. The state sport
fish record is 67.5 lbs. |
| Distribution |
Coastal: St. Lawrence River, Canada to the St. Johns River,
Florida. Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana. British Columbia to California.
Chesapeake Bay: throughout the Bay and its tributaries. |
| Description |
Body compressed, side with 7 or 8 narrow lateral stripes that align with scale rows,
dorsal fins well separated, caudal fin forked, olive green, blue, or black dorsally. |
| Max. size |
60 inches. |
| Life span |
Up to 30 years. |
| Food preference |
Juvenile: Planktonic crustaceans.
Adult: Variety of fishes, crustaceans, squids, mussels, and worms. |
| Spawning location |
Anadromous - migrate from ocean to freshwater in order to spawn. |
| Spawning period |
March through May, peak spawning occurs in April when temperatures are 13-20 degrees
Celsius. |
| Additional Information |
or Juvenile
Fish Index |
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