Suwannee bass

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Suwannee bass

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Centrarchidae
Genus: Micropterus
Species:
M. notius
Binomial name
Micropterus notius

The Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius) is a

Georgia
, although it has been introduced elsewhere.

Description

The Suwannee bass is a rather small species compared to its congeners and has a deep body with a large mouth in which the

caudal fin which has a pale margin, this is more obvious in young fish which also show bold mottling on the soft part of the dorsal fin, the anal fin and the caudal fin. In the breeding season the adults show a turquoise colouration on the cheek, breast and belly.[2] This species attains a maximum total length of 40 centimetres (16 in) although a more usual total length would be around 21 centimetres (8.3 in) and the maximum published weight is 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb).[3]

Distribution

The Suwannee bass is

Suwannee and Ochlockonee River systems in Florida and a small part of Georgia.[4] It has been introduced into the St. Marks River and the Wacissa River in Florida.[1]

Habitat and biology

The Suwannee bass is found in fast-moving shallow areas of rivers, known as shoals, over limestone, this is frequently covered in sand. They usually prefer neutral or basic waters, originating in springs emerging from aquifers in the limestone. They are uncommon in the lower parts of the Suwannee River where there is a tidal influence, but are absent from the upper reaches which are dominated by acidic waters draining from the Okefenokee Swamp.[4] This species has a diet which is dominated by crayfish, although they will eat other invertebrates and fishes. In the lower, tidal reaches of the Suwannee River the blue crab is taken by this species. The spawning season runs from February to May, peaking in April and May, when the water temperature reaches 18–19 °C (64–66 °F) The eggs are laid in circular depressions excavated near the edges of the streams where they are fertilised by the male. The male then guards the eggs up to the point of hatching. Females have a faster growth rate and attain larger sizes than the males, the males rarely attain lengths greater than 13 inches (33 cm). The females can have a life span of up to 12 years although in the males it is 9 years.[2]

Taxonomy

The Suwannee bass was first formally

type locality given as Head of Ichetucknee Springs at Lead, Columbia County, Florida.[5]

Relationship with humans

While not as well known as other black basses, M. notius is also

IGFA all tackle world record for the species stands at 1.75 kg (3 lb 14 oz) caught from the Suwannee river in 1985.[6]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T13403A19032574.en
    . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Micropterus notius Bailey and Hubbs, 1949". Georgia Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  3. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Micropterus notius" in FishBase. December 2019 version.
  4. ^ a b "SUWANNEE BASS Micropterus notius" (PDF). Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  5. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Micropterus notius". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Bass, Suwannee". igfa.org. IGFA. Retrieved 17 June 2019.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/fish/freshwater/suwannee-bass/

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