Natural and induced production of striped bass hybrids was examined under controlled tank conditions. Four culture female F1 hybrid bass (striped bass, Morone saxatalis x white bass, M. chrysops) received human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and ovulated, but only 2 spawned eggs. These eggs, deposited in fresh water, were fertilized by HCG-treated cultured male F1 hybrids. One untreated (no HCG) female F1 hybrid which was paired with 2 untreated male F1 hybrids and held in brackish water (13 ppt salinity) also tank spawned and fertilized eggs were produced. This is the first documented case of a non-induced “natural” tank spawn among these striped bass hybrids. Hatch rates for the F1 x F1 hybrid cross were low. One attempt to induce a tank spawn between a HCG treated female white bass and 2 similarly treated male striped bass was not successful.
