4 replies to this topic

[Betta132]

I buried a 6" longear in the yard last month after it died, and something (opossum?) just dug part of it back up and left me the skull.

Look at the teeth on this thing! I'm pretty sure the lower jaw has at least two rows, possibly three. I know they're small compared to much of the fish world, but I never thought sunfish had respectable teeth like this. 

Edited by Betta132, 09 November 2015 - 03:11 PM.

[Matt DeLaVega]

They do, sort of. Remember when alive, (gum tissue?) covers about 60% of that. Feels more like sand paper then.

[Mrfipp]

All a matter of perspective, really... it's not a goliath tigerfish but I'm sure to prey those teeth are plenty menacing.

The teeth that some trout have on their tongues have always struck me as something from a sci-fi or horror film. Food chain is intense...

[Matt DeLaVega]

I suspect you are right. Greens sunfish are certainly intimidating to shiners and even other smaller sunfish. The smallish teeth in their large gape are apparently perfect for snagging and holding a smaller prey item. I think those sandpaper teeth are probably perfect for holding scaly prey.

[Sean Phillips]

All a matter of perspective, really... it's not a goliath tigerfish but I'm sure to prey those teeth are plenty menacing.
The teeth that some trout have on their tongues have always struck me as something from a sci-fi or horror film. Food chain is intense...

Trout definitely have nasty teeth, especially Browns. I always make the mistake of lip-gripping them when fishing and every time I do, they tear up my finger pretty bad, I've almost needed stitches a few times! And when they get so big that they have a kype and you try to lip grip them, it's like grabbing a spiked ball!