Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted bass - Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Micropterus punctulatus

Common Name
Spotted bass

Biology
Inhabit clear, gravelly flowing pools and runs of creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 6465); also found in streams, lakes and reservoirs (Ref. 10294). Juveniles feed on small crustaceans and midge larvae while adults eat insects, larger crustaceans, frogs, worms, grubs and small fish (Ref. 6465, 10294).

Classification

Classified By
Rafinesque, 1819
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: Mississippi River basin from southern Ohio and West Virginia to southeastern Kansas, and south to the Gulf of Mexico, USA; Gulf Slope drainages from Chattahoochee in Georgia to Guadalupe River in Texas, USA. Introduced in southern Africa and has become established in several isolated water bodies.
Range
40°N - 29°N

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Trophic Level
3.56 s.e. 0.53 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
63.5 cm
Common Length
30.0 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (58 of 100)
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=3-4)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated