Effect of Pond Size on Striped Bass Growth and Survival in Brackish Water

Abstract

The effect of pond size on survival and growth of fingerling striped bass Morone saxatilis in brackish‐water (5–10‰) ponds may be important in designing striped bass production facilities. Seven‐day‐old fry were stocked at densities of 248,000–317,000 fish/ha into 13 ponds (0.2–1.6 ha), and surviving fish were harvested about 1 month later. Pond size did not affect striped bass survival, growth, or production. Mean (±SE) survival over the rearing period was 36.4 ± 5.6%. Mean total length (TL) was 34.2 ± 0.9 mm. Mean production was 1.40 ± 0.17 kg·ha−1·d−1. Large ponds (at least 1.6 ha) are preferable over smaller ponds for producing 34‐mm‐TL striped bass fingerlings in brackish‐water ponds because of the lower cost of construction and maintenance and the reduced land and water use.