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The Wiper, or Hybrid Striped Bass, is a fertile, artificial hybrid created by crossing a female White Bass (Morone chrysops) with a male Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis). This cross results in the 'Sunshine Bass'. The reciprocal cross, a female Striped Bass with a male White Bass, produces the 'Palmetto Bass'. Both are commonly referred to as 'Wiper' in angling and aquaculture contexts. They are highly valued for their rapid growth, fighting ability, and adaptability to various freshwater environments, making them a popular sport fish and aquaculture species.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- elongated
- Coloration
- Silvery body with dark, broken, or interrupted horizontal stripes along the sides. The back is typically darker, ranging from olive-green to dark gray.
- Scale type
- ctenoid
- Mouth position
- terminal
- Distinctive features
- Broken or interrupted lateral stripes (a key differentiator from pure Striped Bass which have solid lines)., Deep body, more robust than a White Bass but less streamlined than a Striped Bass., Two dorsal fins, the first spiny and the second soft-rayed.
- Dorsal fin
- Two dorsal fins; the first is spiny with 9-11 spines, and the second is soft-rayed with 12-15 rays. The two fins are distinctly separate or only barely connected at the base.
- Tail fin
- Moderately forked caudal fin.
- Pectoral fin
- Paired pectoral fins, typically clear to slightly dusky.
- Distinctive fins
- Anal fin has 3 spines and 11-13 soft rays. Pelvic fins are thoracic.
Identification Tips
Lateral Stripes
Observe the horizontal stripes along the body. Wipers typically have 4-8 prominent dark stripes, with at least some of them being noticeably broken or interrupted, especially below the lateral line. Pure Striped Bass have solid, unbroken lines, while White Bass have fainter, often fewer, and sometimes broken lines.
Body Shape
Wipers have a deeper body than a White Bass but are generally not as elongated or torpedo-shaped as a pure Striped Bass. They possess a more 'stocky' appearance.
Tooth Patches on Tongue
Carefully examine the tongue. Wipers typically have two distinct patches of teeth on their tongue, similar to a Striped Bass. White Bass have only one patch.
Dorsal Fins
The two dorsal fins are usually distinctly separate or only barely connected at the base, unlike some other species where they might be more fused.
Habitat
- Water type
- freshwater
- Depth
- Typically found in open water, ranging from shallow feeding grounds to deeper areas of lakes and reservoirs.
- Environment
- Large lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. They prefer areas with good water quality, ample forage, and often congregate around submerged structures, points, and humps.
- Geographic range
- Primarily stocked in freshwater systems across the United States, particularly in the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest. Not naturally occurring, as they are a hybrid.
Aquarium Information
- Care level: advanced
- Temperament: aggressive
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum tank size: Not suitable for typical home aquariums due to large size and schooling needs. Requires very large public aquarium exhibits.
- Temperature: 18-25°C (65-77°F)
- pH level: 6.5-8.0
- Hardness: 100-250 ppm (moderate to hard)
- Compatibility: Only compatible with other large, robust fish that can withstand their predatory nature and size. Best kept in species-specific large exhibits.
- Special requirements: Requires immense space, strong filtration for high bioload, and a diet of large live or frozen prey. Not a home aquarium species.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: least concern
- Seasonality: Activity and feeding can be seasonal, with peak activity in warmer months. Stocking programs are year-round in many areas.
- Market price: Varies by region and market, generally moderate to high for food fish.
- Commercial importance: medium
- Taste: Mild, flaky, and firm white flesh.
- Texture: Firm, moist, and non-oily.
- Cooking methods: Baking, Grilling, Frying, Broiling, Steaming
- Nutritional value: Good source of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Key Facts
Hybrid Vigorbehavior
Wipers exhibit 'hybrid vigor,' meaning they grow faster and often larger than either parent species, making them excellent sport fish and aquaculture candidates.
Sterile or Fertile?interesting
While many hybrids are sterile, Wipers are often fertile, though their offspring may not be as robust or viable as the F1 generation. This fertility can lead to some natural reproduction in systems where they are stocked.
Aggressive Predatorsbehavior
Wipers are highly aggressive predators, feeding on a wide variety of baitfish. This makes them exciting to catch for anglers and effective at controlling forage fish populations in reservoirs.
Stocking Successinteresting
They are widely stocked in freshwater impoundments across the U.S. to provide a popular sport fishery and to utilize abundant gizzard shad and other forage fish.
Safety Information
Safe- Safety level: safe
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: edible
- Handling notes: Wipers have sharp spines on their dorsal and anal fins, which can cause painful punctures. Handle with care, especially when unhooking. A lip-gripping tool or wet gloves are recommended. They are strong fighters, so be prepared for vigorous movements when landed.
Similar Species
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Bass are smaller, have a more compressed body, typically fewer and fainter lateral stripes (often only one or two prominent ones), and only one tooth patch on the tongue. Their dorsal fins are more distinctly separated.
Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
Striped Bass are generally larger, more elongated, and have 7-8 prominent, solid, unbroken lateral stripes. They also have two tooth patches on the tongue, but their overall body shape is more streamlined.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Moronidae
- Genus
- Morone
- Species
- Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis
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