Family Moronidae

Temperate Basses

Selected Characters: Two spines on opercle; two dorsal fins; caudal fin forked; lateral line extends almost to posterior edge of caudal fin.

The six members of this family are found in fresh water, brackish water, and, in coastal areas, salt water. They are native to eastern North America, Europe, and northern Africa. The only species found in Puget Sound, the Striped Bass, was introduced to California from the eastern U.S. in 1879 and 1882 and spread quickly along most of the Pacific coast of North America. This active fish may travel extensively along coastlines and spawns in fresh water in the spring. In the Atlantic this species may exceed 180 cm in length but in the Pacific it grows to about 120 cm. It has significance as a sport fish and in some areas supports commercial fisheries. The Striped Bass feeds on a variety of fishes and sometimes shrimps. It is rare in Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Species

Morone saxatilis Striped Bass