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hooked · 03-02-2003, 10:47 PM

Here's some data from a study that Mass DMF did.

http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dmf/Pr...pbass.htm#bass

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Diet Items Found in the Stomachs of Striped Bass Collected from Massachusetts Waters

Striped Bass gut contents displaying different sizes of prey
We also found that the striped bass ate different sizes of prey. Fish prey ranged in size from 0.9" to 19" total length, and crab prey ranged in size from 0.1" to 4" carapace width. Individuals of menhaden and sand lance were generally <5" and the three dominant crabs (rock, green, and lady crabs) were generally <3". American lobsters eaten by striped bass were <2" carapace length.

Using the bioenergetic model, we estimated that an "average" striped bass of six years (27 inches in length) must eat about 16 pounds of prey to gain 1 pound in weight during June-September in Massachusetts' waters. Most energy contributing to the growth of this age class comes from different fish prey during June-July, but mainly from menhaden during August-September. These results confirmed the importance of fishes like menhaden to the survival and health of the striped bass population. (see Graph of Consumption below)

03-02-2003, 10:47 PM	#18
hooked Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bedford, NH Posts: 626	Here's some data from a study that Mass DMF did. http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dmf/Pr...pbass.htm#bass ================= Diet Items Found in the Stomachs of Striped Bass Collected from Massachusetts Waters Striped Bass gut contents displaying different sizes of prey We also found that the striped bass ate different sizes of prey. Fish prey ranged in size from 0.9" to 19" total length, and crab prey ranged in size from 0.1" to 4" carapace width. Individuals of menhaden and sand lance were generally <5" and the three dominant crabs (rock, green, and lady crabs) were generally <3". American lobsters eaten by striped bass were <2" carapace length. Using the bioenergetic model, we estimated that an "average" striped bass of six years (27 inches in length) must eat about 16 pounds of prey to gain 1 pound in weight during June-September in Massachusetts' waters. Most energy contributing to the growth of this age class comes from different fish prey during June-July, but mainly from menhaden during August-September. These results confirmed the importance of fishes like menhaden to the survival and health of the striped bass population. (see Graph of Consumption below)