Largemouth Bass
(Micropterus salmoides)
Taxonomy
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order Perciformes Family Centrachidae Genus Micropterus Species salmoides Etymology Micropterus: Greek in origin Mikros = small + Pteron = wing, fin Salmoides: trout-like |
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Identifying Characteristics
Largemouth bass are usually dark-green to olive in color dorsally and fade to yellow in color ventrally. They have dark splotches that form a stripe running from the operculum to the base of the caudal fin. They have a large mouth, hence the name, with the maxillary extending behind the back of the eye (1). The mouth is the main distinguishing characteristic from smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu). There is a notch between the dorsal fins, which have 9-11 spines and 12-14 soft rays (2). The anal fin has 3 spines and 10-12 soft rays (6). The caudal fin is rounded and has 17 rays (6).
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Habitat
Largemouth Bass inhabit vegetated, clear, freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and backwaters of rivers and creeks (6). For optimum performance they require water between 10˚C- 32˚C, but can tolerate more extreme temperatures for short periods of time (6). They prefer shallow water, usually less than 20 feet, but need deeper waters to survive during the winter in their northern distribution. Largemouth bass require vegetation, rocks and submerged logs as cover to avoid detection by predators when young, and to hide and ambush prey as adults (4). They are benthopaelagic meaning they live and feed near the bottom as well as in midwaters or near the surface.
Life History
Large mouth bass reproduce in the spring when the water reaches around 17˚- 20˚C (5). The males construct crude nests where the females then lay their eggs. Females can lay anywhere between 2,000 and 145,000 eggs, with much of this variation depending on her size. Females have no further investment in their offspring, but the males guard the eggs until they hatch (3-4 days). After hatching, the fry are transparent and around 3mm in length. They remain in the nest until they have absorbed all of the yolk from the egg (6-7 days). The fry then rise from the nest, begin to school, turn pale green in color and begin feeding on zooplankton. The fry remain close to their father for at most 1 month after hatching (3). Female largemouth bass reach sexual maturity in around 2 years and male largemouth bass reach sexual maturity in around 3-4 months (3). The average size of an adult largemouth bass is 40 cm long, and the maximum length recorded was 97.0 cm. The maximum weight recorded is 10.1 kg (22 pounds). Males typically grow slower than females, and the females can grow to double the size of the males. In the wild largemouth bass live to be 15 years on average. The maximum recorded age was 23 years. In captivity largemouth bass live much shorter lives, with the average age being 6 years and the longest recorded age being 11 years (2).
Geographic Range
The geographic location of the largemouth bass includes the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec to Minnesota and south to the Gulf; the Atlantic Slope drainages from North Carolina to Florida; and the Gulf Slope drainages from southern Florida into northern Mexico (6).
The geographic location of the largemouth bass includes the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec to Minnesota and south to the Gulf; the Atlantic Slope drainages from North Carolina to Florida; and the Gulf Slope drainages from southern Florida into northern Mexico (6).
Diet
Largemouth bass are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouth. Although they are experimental feeders, they often become conditioned from repeated experiences on what prey is good and what prey is not (5). Adults primarily feed on small fishes, insects and crayfish, but will also eat tadpoles, frogs, lizards, salamanders, turtles, mice and ducklings (7). Some large adults have even been recorded eating juvenile alligators (see video)! Fry eat zooplankton, and as they grow begin to feed on insects, snails and crustaceans (5). Larval and juvenile largemouth bass are prey for yellow perch, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. Adult largemouth bass can usually escape most predators, and their primary predator are humans.
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Information pertaining to largemouth bass begins at 0:30.
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Conservation Status
The Largemouth Bass is not a threatened species in the United States. It is one of the most popular game fish in the United States, so it is commonly stocked in lakes and ponds. Many fisheries are devoted to growing trophy size bass which has led to the introduction of largemouth to previously uninhabited areas. The species is native to the Eastern half of the United States, but is now found in South Africa, parts of Europe, Guam, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, the Philippines and the majority of the United States (7). Largemouth bass are good for moderating bluegill populations in the U.S., but have been known to out-compete native species in other areas around the globe. There are two recognized subspecies of Largemouth Bass: the Northern Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) and the Florida Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) (7).
References:
1. Bailey, R., W. Latta, G. Smith. 2004. An Atlas of Michigan Fishes. Ann Arbor, MI: Miscellaneous Publications.
2. Boschung, H., R. Mayden, J. Tomelleri. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Mobile, Al: Smithsonian Books.
3. Dewoody, J., D. Fletcher, D. Wilkins, W. Nelson, J. Anise. 2000. Genetic Monogamy and Biparental Care in a Externally Fertilizing Fish, the Largemouth Bass. The Royal Society, 267: 2431-2437.
4. www.bassfishingandcatching.com/largemouth-bass-habitat.html
5. www.bassfishingandcatching.com/largemouth-bass.html
6. www.fishbase.org/summary/3385
7. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/LargemouthBass/LargemouthBass.html
2. Boschung, H., R. Mayden, J. Tomelleri. 2004. Fishes of Alabama. Mobile, Al: Smithsonian Books.
3. Dewoody, J., D. Fletcher, D. Wilkins, W. Nelson, J. Anise. 2000. Genetic Monogamy and Biparental Care in a Externally Fertilizing Fish, the Largemouth Bass. The Royal Society, 267: 2431-2437.
4. www.bassfishingandcatching.com/largemouth-bass-habitat.html
5. www.bassfishingandcatching.com/largemouth-bass.html
6. www.fishbase.org/summary/3385
7. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/LargemouthBass/LargemouthBass.html