Centropristis Striata - The Sea Bass

The Sea Bass is one of Long Island's most abundant fish. These fish play an intricate role in the waters surrounding Long Island. There scientific name is Centropristis striata. There are three topics about the Sea Bass that important to the fish. They are Habitats, Feeding Habits, and Migratory habits. These topics are vital to the fish and how these fish live.

The Habitats of these fish are important for the survival of this fish. The habitats of this fish provide a safe haven for them. "Summer flounder, smooth dogfish, and oyster toadfish are potential demersal predators of juvenile black sea bass, and juveniles in exposed areas can also be preyed upon by bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), striped bass (Morone saxatilus), weakfish, and other predators that use the water column". This shows that these fish are preyed upon by many bigger fish. The environment or structures in which they live around serve as protection. The living habitats of these fish vary depending on water temperature and amount of prey for these fish to feed upon. During the cold months, November to April these fish move offshore. Some of these offshore structures that these fish live in and around are offshore wrecks, offshore rock piles, and the continental shelf. Sometimes there is a question of what offshore is, offshore is considered anything more than three miles. The inshore structures are occupied by Sea Bass during the warm months, May to October. Some of the inshore structures occupied are, rocky bottoms, wrecks, jetties, mussel/shellfish beds, Artificial Reefs (man made), and Pilings. Inshore is considered anything less than three miles from the beach. Because Sea Bass live in environments that can cause harm to the fish, there have been modifications to this fish. These modifications protect the fish from rubbing or bumping into things that are common to this fish's environment. For example the skin of the fish is tough. This allows the fish to be protected from bumping into or rubbing against things that may otherwise harm the fish if it did not have this modification. The scales of this fish have been modified. It allows the fish to be protected from other fish that may prey upon the Sea Bass. The Scales are very rough and hard which protect the fish from being bitten by predators. These modifications can be seen by Image One, which shows a picture of the Sea Bass being protected from a predator by its scales.

Sea Bass like all fish are migratory, meaning they make moves through out the year depending on water temperature, and availability of food. "Black sea bass belong to a group of warm temperate, migrating species that do not tolerate cold, inshore winter conditions". During the winter when the water drops these fish migrate to offshore areas where the water stays at a certain temperature, as stated by the text quoted above. These fish move offshore during the cold months (November to April). They do this so that they can find an availability of more food. And like what was stated above, these fish can not tolerate the cold inshore conditions. Usually the older and bigger fish move first, while the younger little ones stay inshore longer. When the warmer months (May to October) come up, the Sea Bass move inshore. There are two main reasons why. The water inshore warms up to a temperature that is preferable to the fish. They do this because offshore the water gets even warmer than what the fish can tolerate. By moving inshore where the water is cooler and warms up slower it becomes tolerable. Another reason that these fish move inshore is to spawn. Spawning in the shallower water where there is more structure and nutrients allow the eggs to develop into Juvenile Sea Bass. These Migrations allow for Sea Bass to find more food and structure. These migrations are very important to the survival of Sea Bass, because by moving more these fish can escape predation. For Example if the Sea Bass is inshore during the warm months, when the Striped Bass, a predator of the Sea Bass, is out in the deeper waters; it would cause a greater Mortality rate of Sea Bass. Thus by moving more the predators can't prey on them as easily and the mortality rate won't be so high.

The Sea Bass feeds on many different organism in there environment. The Sea Bass feeds on small fish such as, Killies, Menhaden, Herring, and Spearing. "A small sample of fish from a central New Jersey estuary. Allen et al. (1978) reported an increase in the occurrence of anchovies, silversides ". This shows that small bait fish are one of the primary preys for Sea Bass. This fish are also known for feeding on Squid, Mollusks, and Crustaceans as another main portion of there diet. "Adult black sea bass feed on a variety of in faunal and epibenthic invertebrates [especially crustaceans, including juvenile American lobster (Homarusamericanus)], small fish, and pelagic squid and baitfish". This shows that as a Sea Bass Grows, so does the variety of prey.

The Sea Bass is one of the most interesting fish in the ocean. Not much is known for sure about the complete life of Sea Bass due to there migrations around the ocean, but they are certainly one of the most beautiful fish, and coolest looking fish in the ocean. They also make great table fair. Sea Bass are sought after by many private recreational and commercial fishermen because of the table fair. Recreational fishermen enjoy fishing for them because they give a good fight on light tackle fishing gear. Sea Bass still remain one of Long Island's most abundant fish, but as long as these fish stocks are well maintained future generations will enjoy the catch and table fair of this fish.