SURVIVAL AND PRODUCTION OF ONE‐ AND SEVEN‐DAY‐OLD STRIPED BASS LARVAE IN HATCHERY PONDS

Production of striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) historically has been initiated by stocking five‐ to 15‐day‐old larvae. Age of stocking was based on the fact that developmentally these larvae were more advanced and should have a better chance of survival than those less than five days old (prolarvae). This need to stock more advanced larvae to improve probability of survival has not been demonstrated thoroughly. Survival and production of one‐day‐old and seven‐day‐old striped bass larvae stocked in triplicate rearing ponds during two hatchery seasons were compared. Evidence obtained indicates larval striped bass may not need a lotic environment to survive their earliest life stages as previously believed. Survival, total weight, number harvested, and mean daily growth were two to three times better for the one‐day‐old larvae than sibling seven‐day‐old larvae. Results of these findings indicate striped bass culturist may successfully stock larvae under the right conditions at an earlier age than previously believed. These striped bass hatchery management implications and benefits of these findings are presented and compared with previous findings.