The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Striped Basses

White Perch, Morone americana

 

Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Somewhat deep, compressed body
ï¿½	Arched back
ï¿½	Terminal mouth
ï¿½	Small teeth
ï¿½	Jaws equal length
ï¿½	Two dorsal fins, slightly joined, first dorsal fin with spines
ï¿½	Forked tail fin
ï¿½	Concave anal fin
ï¿½	Faint stripes on side of silvery body
ï¿½	Fins dusky, may have a rose tint on the anal and pelvis fins

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
ï¿½	White bass (Morone chrysops)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 125-250 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Riverine or bay-like parts of estuaries, ponds, and lakes
ï¿½	Deep water in winter, shallow the rest of the year

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	All coastal drainages and Back Bay
	
Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Worms, shrimp, microcrustaceans, insect larvae, squid, and fish

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature between age 2 and 4
ï¿½	Semianadromous 
ï¿½	Spawning occurs late March to May in water around 10-16ï¿½C
ï¿½	Spawn groups in tidal fresh and brackish water over sandy or rocky areas in large rivers and small tributaries
ï¿½	Eggs are adhesive and found near the bottom
ï¿½	Fecundity is 20,000-150,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Sport fish and commercial fish
ï¿½	One of the first fish to be described in the New World

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

Striped Bass

White Perch

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