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Sunfish actually have pretty impressive teeth.


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#1 Betta132

Betta132
  • NANFA Guest
  • San Gabriel drainage area

Posted 09 November 2015 - 03:10 PM

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. 

Sunfish%20teeth_zpsvpjvjjz8.png


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


#2 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
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  • Ohio

Posted 09 November 2015 - 04:33 PM

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


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#3 Mrfipp

Mrfipp
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  • Runaway Bay, Texas

Posted 09 November 2015 - 04:36 PM

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...
There's something fishy about this place...

#4 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
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Posted 09 November 2015 - 06:18 PM

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.


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#5 Sean Phillips

Sean Phillips
  • NANFA Member
  • Allegheny River Drainage, Southwest PA

Posted 10 November 2015 - 07:54 PM

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!
Sean Phillips - Pine Creek Watershed - Allegheny River Drainage




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