The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Spotted Bass, Micropterus punctulatus

 

Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Moderately elongate, streamlined body
ï¿½	Dark, olive-colored side that is often barred, speckled, and blotched
ï¿½	Dorsal fin not deeply notched
ï¿½	First dorsal fin low
ï¿½	Somewhat compressed
ï¿½	Large, terminal mouth 
ï¿½	Tail fin is slightly forked
ï¿½	End of jaw even with back of eye
ï¿½	Black opercular spot
ï¿½	Three horizontal, dark green bars on cheek
ï¿½	Tail fin olive with yellow tint

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
ï¿½	Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 250-380 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Warm streams and rivers

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Tennessee and Big Sandy drainages
ï¿½	Introduced to the New, Roanoke, James, and York drainages

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

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature in 1-4 years
ï¿½	Spawning occurs late April to mid-May in water that is 15-19ï¿½C
ï¿½	In streams, nests at pool margins like smallmouth bass
ï¿½	In reservoirs, nests on the bottom in somewhat shallow water
ï¿½	Fecundity is 3,806-30,586 eggs per female
ï¿½	Naturally hybridizes with smallmouth bass

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Good sport and food fish

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):