Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
Also known asStriper · Rockfish (Chesapeake) · Linesider
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 1500 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 42% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.80% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.70% of body weight
- Max density
- 35 g per litre
A 5000 g adult eats about 90.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~900 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| us-general | check local regulations | Wild striped bass are heavily regulated in most Atlantic states (slot limits, seasonal closures). Aquaculture regulations vary by state; some require permits for any Morone culture verified 2026-05-14 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to the Atlantic coast of North America, from the St. Lawrence River south to the Gulf of Mexico, and as an anadromous species, found in both saltwater and freshwater throughout its life cycle. The species (Morone saxatilis) is one of the most prized recreational and commercial fish in the eastern US. Wild striped bass migrate between coastal ocean waters (where they feed) and freshwater rivers (where they spawn). Landlocked populations exist in several large reservoirs. Adults in the ocean reach 1–1.5 m and 20 kg; landlocked fish are smaller. The flesh is white, firm, and distinctly flavored, commanding premium market prices ($10-20/kg). Striped bass aquaculture is limited compared to the hybrid striped bass industry because pure striped bass are more difficult to culture: they grow slower in ponds, are more sensitive to water quality, and handle confinement less well than hybrids.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 4–9 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
Care notes
A premium cold-water to temperate food fish for large-scale aquaponics, less commonly cultured than the hybrid striped bass because of higher management demands. Optimal temperature is 18–24°C, with tolerance from 5–28°C. Growth: 500–1.5 g in 18-24 months on high-protein pellet (42-48% protein). FCR is 1.5-2.0 when pellet-trained. Dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/L; ammonia below 0.5 mg/L. Stocking density: 10-20 g/L. Striped bass are active schooling swimmers that need large tanks or raceways with good water circulation. Feed training is critical and must start with small fingerlings. The species is more sensitive to handling stress than hybrid striped bass, leading to higher mortality during grading and transfer. For most aquaponics operators, the hybrid striped bass is the more practical choice: better growth, easier management, and comparable flesh quality. Pure striped bass culture is mainly relevant to operators targeting the premium wild-striped-bass market segment or those in jurisdictions where the hybrid is restricted. Fingerlings are available from specialized hatcheries on the East Coast.