Hatchery and Grow-out Performance of Sunshine Bass and Backcross Hybrid Striped Bass in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Previous research has suggested that backcross hybrid striped bass (BX: sunshine bass female x striped bass male) perform as well as F1 hybrid striped bass (sunshine bass: white bass female x striped bass male) for many economically important traits. We conducted trials to compare rearing and growth traits of selected backcross hybrid striped bass with hybrid striped bass (HSB). We spawned and reared larval BX fry in two hatchery cycles, measured fry growth and performance, and compared them to past performance of HSB fry. We conducted a grow-out trial of commercially-available hybrid striped bass versus backcross hybrid striped bass in replicated tanks to phase II fingerling size (approximately lOOg). Compared to HSB, in the hatchery phase, backcross hybrid striped bass exhibited lower fertilization rate, comparable swimbladder inflation rate, shorter time-to-weaning, lower survival, comparable growth, and comparable condition factor. After 60 days, HSB exhibited significantly better growth, survival, and feed conversion efficiency than BX. However, BX may have better potential market acceptance by virtue of having a lower condition factor, appearing longer and less deep-bodied than HSB.