Rock bass
Rock bass | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Centrarchidae |
Genus: | Ambloplites |
Species: | A. rupestris
|
Binomial name | |
Ambloplites rupestris (
Rafinesque , 1817) | |
Synonyms[2] | |
|
The rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), also known as the rock perch, goggle-eye, red eye, and black perch, is a freshwater fish native to east-central North America. This red-eyed fish is a
Distribution
Description
They are similar in appearance to smallmouth bass, but are usually quite a bit smaller. Identifying characteristics of rock bass are their two dorsal fins that have spinous and soft-rayed united portions, a large mouth, six anal spines, red eyes; rows of dark dots on their sides.[3] The mouth of a rock bass is located in the terminal position, below the snout, with small conical teeth to eat prey. The average rock bass is between 6 and 10 in, and they rarely weigh over a pound. Few rock bass live beyond 10 to 12 years. A. rupestris, the largest and most common of the Ambloplites species, has reached a maximum recorded length of 43 cm (17 in), and a maximum recorded weight of 1.4 kg (3.0 lb).[5] It can live as long as 10 years. These fish have body coloring from golden brown to olive with a white to silver colored belly and have the ability to rapidly change their color to match their surroundings. This chameleon-like trait allows them to thrive throughout their wide range.[6]
Habitat
Rock bass prefer clear, rocky, and vegetated stream pools and lake margins. Rocky banks of northeastern lakes and reservoirs are a common habitat for rock bass. Their favorite habitat contains some vegetation with rocky bottoms and cool to warm waters.[6] Rock bass species are usually found near rocky shorelines. They can be surprisingly unflustered by the presence of human activity, living under lakeside docks and near swimming areas. Rock bass are frequently seen in groups, particularly near other sunfish.[citation needed]
Diet
Large bass, northern pike, muskie, and walleye prey on young rock bass. Rock bass compete with smallmouth bass for food. It is carnivorous, and its diet consists of smaller fish, including their own young at times, yellow perch, and minnows, as well as insects, and crustaceans. Rock bass are occasionally known to take food from the surface. Adult Rock bass may eat heavily, particularly in the evening and early in the morning.[6]
Conservation
Rock bass are successfully surviving in their environments and are listed as a species of "least concern" on the
Reproduction
Rock bass are sexually mature at about 2 to 3 years of age. Rock bass are
IGFA records
Rock bass are considered
Misconceptions
Ambloplites constellatus (
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Ambloplipes rupestris" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
- ^ a b c "DNR - Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris". Archived from the original on 2011-09-16.
- ISBN 9781447457725.
- ^ IGFA World Record - All-Tackle Record - Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris)
- ^ a b c d "Bass Fishing: Rock Bass".
- ^ a b Schnell, Brendan (2014). Powers, Karen; Martina, Leila Siciliano (eds.). "Ambloplites rupestris (Goggle eye)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ Gross, M., W. Nowell. 1980. The reproductive biology of rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Centrarchidae), in Lake Opinicon, Ontario. Copeia, 1980/3: 482-494.
- ^ "Bass, rock". igfa.org. IGFA. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- FishBase: Ambloplites rupestris
- ITIS: Ambloplites rupestris
- Ellis, Jack (1993). The Sunfishes-A Fly Fishing Journey of Discovery. Bennington, VT: Abenaki Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-936644-17-6.
- Rice, F. Philip (1964). America's Favorite Fishing-A Complete Guide to Angling for Panfish. New York: Harper Row.
- Rice, F. Philip (1984). Panfishing. New York: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-943822-25-4.