Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides) fish species and information / pictures of Largemouth black bass - Micropterus salmoides

Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides) fish species information

Scientific Name
Micropterus salmoides

Common Name
Largemouth black bass

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 30 - 32. Mouth large; maxillary extending beyond the eye. Pelvic fins not joined by a membrane. Green to olive dorsally, milk-white to yellow ventrally, with a black band running from the operculum to the base of the caudal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Caudal fin with 17 rays (Ref. 2196).

Classification

Classified By
Lacep?de, 1802
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Sunfishes (Centrarchidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: St. Lawrence - Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins; Atlantic drainages from North Carolina to Florida and to northern Mexico. The species has been introduced widely as a game fish and is now cosmopolitan. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Range
47°N - 26°N

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
10 °C
Water Temperature To
32 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
7 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; ; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - ? benthopelagic; depth range ? - 7 m (Ref. 1998)
Trophic Level
3.84 s.e. 0.62 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
97.0 cm
Common Length
40.0 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
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (45 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.06-0.14; tm=3-5; tmax=11; Fec=2,000)
Threat To Humans
  Potential pest
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated