Hybrid striped bass
Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis
Also known asWiper
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 500 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 40% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.30% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.80% of body weight
- Max density
- 40 g per litre
A 1000 g adult eats about 13.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~130 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
A cross between striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and white bass (Morone chrysops), also called sunshine bass (striped bass female x white bass male) or palmetto bass (white bass female x striped bass male). The hybrid was first produced in the 1960s in South Carolina and has become a significant US aquaculture species, with annual production of 5,000-8,000 tonnes. The hybrid combines the fast growth and large size of striped bass with the heat tolerance and pond adaptability of white bass. Adults in culture reach 0.5–2 kg at harvest. The flesh is white, firm, and mild-flavored, with a clean taste that appeals to consumers who find catfish or tilapia too muddy. Wild striped bass is a premium market fish; the hybrid provides a farm-raised alternative at lower cost.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 5–11 (winter low around -29°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A warm-water to temperate food fish for aquaponics in regions where a premium white-fleshed species is desired. Optimal temperature is 25–28°C, with a tolerated range of 8–33°C. Growth is moderate to fast: 500–1 g in 12-18 months on high-protein pellet (40-45% protein). FCR is 1.5-2.0. Stocking density: 10-20 g/L. Hybrid striped bass require better water quality than catfish or tilapia: dissolved oxygen above 4 mg/L (they show visible stress below 3 mg/L, gasping at the surface), ammonia below 1 mg/L, and pH 6.5-8.5. They're active, schooling swimmers that need adequate tank volume and prefer elongated or round tanks over small square ones. Feed training is critical; fingerlings that have been weaned to pellets in the hatchery perform much better than those transitioned from live food later. Source only pellet-trained stock. Cannibalism occurs when size classes are mixed; grade regularly and separate cohorts that differ by more than 20% in body length. Fingerlings are available from hybrid striped bass hatcheries in the southeastern US (primarily North Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas). Legal in most US states without special permits. The hybrid is functionally sterile, which prevents uncontrolled reproduction and simplifies population management. Market positioning is premium: the fish sells for $8-15/kg at retail, comparable to wild striped bass, making it economically attractive for operators who can access local restaurants or farmers' markets.