Stunted Growth of a Jawless Striped bass, Morone saxatilis

Abstract

During a one‐year marine ichthyofaunal study of Northport, New York, only one abnormal fish was taken, a striped bass, Morone saxatilis. This 3‐year‐old fish, lacking a lower jaw and part of the upper, was apparently injured between its second and third year of life, as evidenced by much reduced scale formation during that period. The fish, measuring 260 mm standard length and weighing 291.1 grams, was much smaller than normal fish of comparable age, being nearer the size of 2‐year‐old fish. This stunted growth was presumably due to reduced feeding ability resulting from the injury.