Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

Scientific name: Micropterus dolomieu Lacep?de, 1802

The Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a freshwater fish of the family Centrarchidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–30°C (50–86°F).

Smallmouth bass care at a glance

Temperature: 10–30°C (50–86°F)

Biology

Inhabit shallow rocky areas of lakes, clear and gravel-bottom runs and flowing pools of rivers, cool flowing streams and reservoirs fed by such streams. Young feed on plankton and immature aquatic insects while adults take in crayfish, fishes, and aquatic and terrestrial insects (Refs. 1998, 10294, 44091). Sometime cannibalistic. Preyed upon by fishes and turtles. Excellent food fish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Micropterus dolomieu
Family: Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 69.0
Common length: 8.0
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes system, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec in Canada to North Dakota and south to northern Alabama and eastern Oklahoma in the USA. Introduced into many countries for sport fishing. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.10-0.28; tm=3-6; tmax=14; Fec=5,000)