Effects of Sunlight Intensity on Survival of Striped Bass X White Bass Fry

The effects of sunlight intensity on survival of Morone saxatilis X Morone chrysops hybrid fry were examined through studies performed in replicated aquaria and hatchery rearing ponds. The aquaria and ponds were exposed to direct sunlight and 2 types of sunlight reduction (overhead shading and decreased water clarity). Direct sunlight reduced fry survival in the aquaria and pond experiments. In aquaria, variations in overhead shade and water clarity significantly affected fry survival, and decreased water clarity was more effective than an increase in overhead shade in increasing survival. In ponds, overhead shading was more effective than water clarity in increasing fry-to-fingerling survival.