The effects of temperature on sex differentiation and growth of black sea bass ( Centropristis striata L.)

To examine the effects of temperature on sex differentiation in the black sea bass ( Centropristis striata L.), a protogynous hermaphrodite, juveniles (∼0.5 g) were cultured in recirculating systems at 17, 21 or 25 °C. Growth was assessed at 155, 182, 241 and 275 days post hatch and sex differentiation was determined histologically. No differences were found in the sex ratios of fish reared at different temperatures, but only 55–64% developed as females. Growth was significantly greater in males across all temperature treatments. These results suggest that black sea bass exhibit sexually dimorphic growth patterns and that female‐specific sex determination can be disrupted in culture.