Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are important North American aquaculture species whose welfare depends on managing their specific temperature tolerance, schooling behavior, and sensitivity to handling stress.
Striped bass welfare in aquaculture is primarily determined by water quality management and handling practices. Their sensitivity to dissolved oxygen means that oxygen depletion events — which can occur rapidly in warm weather or during algal bloom crashes — cause acute physiological stress and mortality. Temperature management is critical during summer, as chronic heat stress impairs immune function and creates vulnerability to opportunistic infections. The schooling behavior of striped bass means they can be maintained at moderate densities with reasonable welfare outcomes when water quality is maintained, unlike more territorial species. However, handling during grading, transport, and harvest causes significant stress responses, and welfare-conscious operations minimize handling frequency and use appropriate stunning methods before slaughter.