Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic). Striped Bass
Species profiles are literature summaries on the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is a highly valued recreational and commercial fish species and is surpassed in total recreational catch (weight) only by bluefish and Atlantic mackerel on the Atlantic coast. Males mature at age 2 or 3, and females at age 4 or 5. Striped bass are anadromous, spawning in fresh or nearly fresh water, from April through June in the Mid-Atlantic region. Upper Chesapeake Bay, its major tributaries, and the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal are the most important spawning grounds on the Atlantic coast. Eggs are semibuoyant, and require a minimum current velocity of 30.5 cm/s during development to keep them from settling and smothering on the bottom. Environmental conditions during the larval stage are considered most crucial in terms of future year class strength. Juveniles remain in or near areas of origin for 2 or 3 years, at which time a portion of the juveniles may join coastal migratory stocks, moving north in spring and summer and south in fall and winter. Temperature, salinity, current velocity, and turbidity are important environmental factors for striped bass. Eggs require water temperatures between 14/sup 0/C and 23/sup 0/C, salinities between 0 and 10 ppt, water currents of at least 30.5 cm/s, and turbidities less than 1000 mg/l for successful development and hatching. Larvae require temperatures between 10/sup 0/C and 25/sup 0/C, salinities between 0 and 15 ppt, and turbidities less than 500 mg/1 for survival. Juvenile and adult tolerances are generally wider. 171 references, 4 figures, 9 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA). Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- OSTI ID:
- 5273595
- Report Number(s):
- FWS/OBS-82/11.8; ON: DE84900745
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic)
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Related Subjects
STRIPED BASS
ECOLOGY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
COASTAL WATERS
ESTUARIES
FEDERAL REGION II
FEDERAL REGION III
FISHING INDUSTRY
HABITAT
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TAXONOMY
ANADROMOUS FISHES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGY
DISTRIBUTION
FISHES
INDUSTRY
NORTH AMERICA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
VERTEBRATES
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)