Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Scientific name: Micropterus salmoides Lacep?de, 1802

The Largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Centrarchidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–32°C (50–90°F).

Largemouth black bass care at a glance

Temperature: 10–32°C (50–90°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Micropterus salmoides
Family: Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 97.0
Common length: 40.0
Depth range: 7 m (23 ft)
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - ? benthopelagic; depth range ? - 7 m
Climate: Subtropical
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.06-0.14; tm=3-5; tmax=11; Fec=2,000)