The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

 

Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Moderately elongate, streamlined body
ï¿½	Dark, olive-colored side that is often striped and blotched
ï¿½	Somewhat compressed
ï¿½	Very large, terminal mouth 
ï¿½	Deep notch between first and second dorsal fin
ï¿½	Tail fin is slightly forked
ï¿½	End of jaw may extend past the eye
ï¿½	Black opercular spot
ï¿½	Three horizontal, dark green bars on cheek
ï¿½	Olive-brown mottling on fins, olive stripes and blotches

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus)
ï¿½	Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 230-650 mm total length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers
ï¿½	Warm, clear water 

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Native to the Tennessee and Big Sandy drainages
ï¿½	Introduced in the New and Atlantic slope drainages

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Young eat plankton, insects, and small fish
ï¿½	Juveniles and adults eat crayfish, fish, insects

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature in 1-4 years, depending on latitude
ï¿½	Spawning occurs in May and June in water that is 16-24ï¿½C
ï¿½	Males fans out nest and guards it
ï¿½	Located in backwaters and pools of streams and along the shore in ponds and reservoirs
ï¿½	Fecundity is 17,501-21,751 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Good sport and food fish
ï¿½	First fish species to be raised in a culture pond in North America

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):