Survival and the stress response of striped bass Morone saxatilis during transport and for a 1-month recovery period after transport were evaluated in 2 studies. In the first study, fish from Carbon Hill National Fish Hatchery (CHNFH), a hard water hatchery (total hardness, 100 mg/liter as calcium carbonate), were transported and recovered for 1 month at the Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory (SFCL), a hard water facility (total hardness, 108 mg/liter as calicum carbonate). In the second study, fish from Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery (WSNFH), a soft water hatchery (total hardness, 26 mg/liter as calicum carbonate), were transported and recovered for 1 month at the Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory (SFCL), a hard water facility (total hardness, 108 mg/liter as calicum carbonate). For each study, striped bass were transported and allowed to recover in 1 of 6 salt concentrations: 1.0% sodium chloride; 1.0%, 0.5%, or 0.1% calcium chloride; 0.5% sodium chloride + 0.5% calcium chloride; and fresh water. Results in both studies were similar. The addition of 1.0% sodium chloride to the hauling and recovery waters significantly increased survival and reduced stress compared to the other treatments. Percent survival of striped bass was inversely proportional to calicum chloride levels in the hauling and recovery medium. The addition of 0.5% sodium chloride + 0.5% calcium chloride increased survival and decreased the stress response compared to fish hauled and recovered in only 0.5% calcium chloride.
