Micropterus salmoides

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae). The largest of the seven species in genus Micropterus (which are all popular game fish known as the black basses), M. salmoides grows to a length up to 29.5 inches (the record), about 25 pounds, and lives 16 years. Although native to the great lakes region of North America, the largemouth bass’ enormous sporting appeal precipitated the introduction of the largemouth bass to stock waterways around the world. A highly adaptable and aggressive fish, it has had a devastating impact upon native species in many countries, prompting the Global Invasive Species Database to declare largemouth bass one of the 100 worst invading species. The largemouth bass is the state fish of Alabama (official freshwater fish), Georgia, Mississippi, Florida (state freshwater fish), and Tennessee (official sport fish).

( IUCN/SSC 2006; Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 2011; Wikipedia 13 January 2012; Wikipedia 3 January 2012)

Inhabits clear, vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, and backwaters and pools of creeks and rivers (Ref. 5723). Usually found over mud or sand and common in impoundments (Ref. 5723). An introduced species in Europe reported to avoid fast-flowing waters and to occur in estuaries with a salinity up to 13 ppt (Ref. 59043). Prefers quiet, clear water and over-grown banks. Adults feed on fishes, crayfish and frogs; young feed on crustaceans, insects and small fishes. Sometimes cannibalistic. Does not feed during spawning; as well as when the water temperature is below 5°C and above 37°C (Ref. 30578). Popular game fish in North America. Preyed upon by herons, bitterns, and kingfishers (Ref. 1998). Excellent food fish (Ref. 1998).

Micropterus_salmoides is native to eastern North America and historically ranged from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic coast to the central region of the United States. Since the beginning of the twentieth century largemouth bass have been introduced successfully all over the world.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced )

Other Geographic Terms: cosmopolitan

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.

Micropterus salmoides is native to eastern North America and historically ranged from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic coast to the central region of the United States. Since the beginning of the twentieth century largemouth bass have been introduced successfully all over the world.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Introduced ); ethiopian (Introduced ); neotropical (Introduced )

Other Geographic Terms: cosmopolitan

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: This species is native to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River), and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec to Minnesota and south to Texas, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida, including Atlantic drainages from North Carolina to Florida and Gulf drainages from southern Florida to northern Mexico (Page and Burr 1991). It has been introduced throughout the United States, southern Canada, and much of world.

Eastern half of North America, introduced widely elsewhere.

Micropterus_salmoides has a large mouth, a notch between the two dorsal fins, and a dark stripe along the side of the body (Bailey et al., 2004). This black band is seemingly made up of small oval shapes to a closer eye. Coloration is variable, but is usually a darkish green on the back and sides, fading to an off-white on the belly. The anterior dorsal fin has nine to eleven spines while the posterior dorsal fin has twelve to fourteen rays (Boschung et al., 2004). The average weight of M._salmoides is one kilogram; however, certain individuals have reached weights of over ten kilograms. Males usually do not surpass 40 cm, while females can reach up to 56 cm in length.

Range mass: 10 (high) kg.

Average mass: .9 kg.

Range length: 56 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 10 - 12; Vertebrae: 30 - 32

Micropterus salmoides has a large mouth, a notch between the two dorsal fins, and a dark stripe along the side of the body (Bailey et al., 2004). This black band is seemingly made up of small oval shapes to a closer eye. Coloration is variable, but is usually a darkish green on the back and sides, fading to an off-white on the belly. The anterior dorsal fin has nine to eleven spines while the posterior dorsal fin has twelve to fourteen rays (Boschung et al., 2004). The average weight of M. salmoides is one kilogram; however, certain individuals have reached weights of over ten kilograms. Males usually do not surpass 40 cm, while females can reach up to 56 cm in length.

Range mass: 10 (high) kg.

Average mass: .9 kg.

Range length: 56 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger

Maximum size: 970 mm TL

97.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)); max. published weight: 10.1 kg (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 23 years (Ref. 46974)

Length: 70 cm

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 (Ref. 2196).

Largemouth bass prefer quiet, clear waters with abundant vegetation (Iguchi and Matsuura, 2004). More specifically, they prefer shallow water that is usually no deeper than 2.5 meters, but they sometimes occupy deeper regions. Abundant vegetation is important because it allows bass to hide from their prey and provides protection against predators. Their environment is also made up of regions of clear waters where the bass' vision can be utilized to detect prey.

Range depth: 0 to 3 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10; depth range ? - 7 m (Ref. 1998)

Largemouth bass prefer quiet, clear waters with abundant vegetation (Iguchi and Matsuura, 2004). More specifically, they prefer shallow water that is usually no deeper than 2.5 meters, but they sometimes occupy deeper regions. Abundant vegetation is important because it allows bass to hide from their prey and provides protection against predators. Their environment is also made up of regions of clear waters where the bass' vision can be utilized to detect prey.

Range depth: 0 to 3 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Depth range based on 87 specimens in 3 taxa.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.1 - 10

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.1 - 10
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Habitat Type: Freshwater

Comments: Largemouth basses inhabit warm, quiet waters with low turbidity, soft bottoms, and beds of aquatic plants. Typical habitats include farm ponds, swamps, lakes, reservoirs, sloughs, creek pools, and river coves and backwaters. Many of the largest populations are in mesotrophic to eutrophic lakes or reservoirs. In lakes and reservoirs these fishes are usually close to shore. In general, they are in deeper water in winter than in summer.

Eggs are laid in shallow cleared depressions (nests) made by males in sand, gravel, or debris-littered bottoms, often at depths of 40-80 inches (1-2 meters) but up to at least 23 feet (7 meters) or as shallow as 8-12 inches (about 20-30 cm). Nests are often next to submerged objects and usually are more than 30 feet (9 meters) apart.

Depth: 0 - 7m.
Recorded at 7 meters.

Habitat: benthopelagic.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Immature Micropterus_salmoides feed on zooplankton and aquatic insecta. As they grow their diet shifts to Astacoidea and other actinopterygii species. Lepomis are the food of choice for most adult largemouth bass.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Inhabit streams and lakes (Ref. 10294). Survive in the cool areas of some highland dams where they were introduced as sporting fish (Ref. 4967). Introduced in Europe since 1883. Prefer warm waters of 27°C (Ref. 11273) and occur in small shallow lakes (maximum depth of 6 m) or in shallow bays of big lakes. Rarely found in big rivers (Ref. 11243). Juveniles feed mainly on invertebrates, plankton and insect larvae (Ref. 10294, 11243); individuals from 5 cm TL become almost exclusively piscivores but also feed on frogs and some crustaceans. These are dusk and dawn feeders, feeding in schools chasing their prey near the surface and in zones with vegetation. Feeding slows down in winter and during spawning (Ref. 11243). Preyed upon by herons, bitterns, and kingfishers (Ref. 1998).

Immature Micropterus salmoides feed on zooplankton and aquatic insects. As they grow their diet shifts to crayfish and other fish species. Sunfish are the food of choice for most adult largemouth bass.

Animal Foods: fish; insects; aquatic crustaceans; zooplankton

Primary Diet: carnivore (Piscivore )

Comments: Fry feed mainly on zooplankton. Larger young eat insects, crustaceans, and fish fry. Adults eat mainly fishes, though sometimes prefer crayfish or amphibians (Moyle 1976, Smith 1979).

Micropterus_salmoides plays an important role in the ecosystem as a top predator. Top predators are important because they maintain the populations of all of the animals below them in the food chain. Their success is not limited by any specific type of prey. Instead, they prey upon a number of species, and therefore maintain the health and viability of the ecosystem.

Larval and juvenile largemouth bass are prey species of perca flavescens, Stizostedion vitreum, esox lucius, and esox masquinongy. As adults, largemouth bass can usually escape most predators. The primary predators on adult largemouth bass are homo sapiens.

Known Predators:

• yellow perch (Perca_flavescens)
• walleye (Stizostedion_vitreum)
• northern pike (Esox_lucius)
• muskellunge (Esox_masquinongy)
• humans (Homo_sapiens)

Micropterus salmoides plays an important role in the ecosystem as a top predator. Top predators are important because they maintain the populations of all of the animals below them in the food chain. Their success is not limited by any specific type of prey. Instead, they prey upon a number of species, and therefore maintain the health and viability of the ecosystem.

Larval and juvenile largemouth bass are prey species of yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge. As adults, largemouth bass can usually escape most predators. The primary predators on adult largemouth bass are humans.

Known Predators:

• yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
• walleye (Sander vitreus)
• northern pike (Esox lucius)
• muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
• humans (Homo sapiens)

Micropterus salmoides (Trophic species 20) is prey of:
Hirundinidae
Perca flavescens
Micropterus salmoides
Ambloplites rupestris
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Umbra
Diacyclops thomasi
Mesocyclops edax

Based on studies in:
USA: Wisconsin, Little Rock Lake (Lake or pond)
USA: Michigan, Tuesday Lake (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Micropterus salmoides (Trophic species 20) preys on:
Sphaeromais
Bezzia
Diaptomus minutus
Diacyclops thomasi
Mesocyclops edax
Tropocyclops prasinus
Epischura lacustris
Bosmina longirostris
Eubosmina
Daphnia galeata mendotae
Daphnia parvula
Diaphanosoma birgei
Holopedium gibberum
Leptodora kindtii
Polyphemus pediculus
Conochilus unicornis
Conochiloides
Kellicottia longispina
Kellicottia bostoniensis
Keratella cochlearis
Keratella taurocephala
Keratella crassa
Keratella hiemalis
Polyarthra remata
Polyarthra vulgaris
Trichocerca cylindrica
Asplanchna
Gastropus
Synchaeta
Copepoda
Monogonanta
Chydorus
Gerris
Leptophlebia
Caenis
Oecetis
Mystacides
Limnephilus
Agrypnia
Banksiola
Molanna
Polycentropus
Enallagma
Vellidae
Notonectidae
Sialis
Eoparagyractis
Chaoborus punctipennis
Albabesmyia
Clinotanypus
Djalmabatista
Guttipelopia
Larsia
Macropelopis
Procladius
Chaetocladius
Corynoneura
Cricotopus
Nanocladius
Micropsectra
Paratanytarsus
Chironomus
Cladopelma
Cryptochironomus
Endochrionomus
Glyptotendipes
Microtendipes
Parachironomus
Paratendipes
Polypedilum
Pseudochironomus
Stenochironomus
Stictochironomus
Xenochironomus
Campeloma decisum
Sphaeriidae
Oligochaeta
Hirundinidae
Tricladida
Crangonyx gracilis
Perca flavescens
Micropterus salmoides
Ambloplites rupestris
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Umbra
Notemigonus crysoleucus
Anisoptera
Libellula
Sympetrum
Cyprinus carpio
Pimephales notatus
Lepomis macrochirus
Stizostedion vitreum
Chelydra serpentina
Anas fulvigula
Amazilia tzacatl
Alligator mississippiensis
Daphnia pulex

Based on studies in:
USA: Wisconsin, Little Rock Lake (Lake or pond)
USA: Michigan, Tuesday Lake (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Rhabdochona Infestation 10. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Largemouth Bass Iridovirus. Viral diseases

Goezia Disease 6. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Eye Infection (Diplostomum sp.). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Edwardsiellosis. Bacterial diseases

Contracaecum Infestation 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Acolpenteron Infection. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Achtheres Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

May have small summer range or may wander widely (Moyle 1976). Young have strong schooling tendency (Becker 1983).

Largemouth bass perceive their environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical means, as do most fish.

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Largemouth bass perceive their environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical means, as do most fish.

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Comments: Largemouth basses may be active throughout most of the daylight hours and usually are relatively inactive at night and in winter; feeding is most intence near dawn and dusk in the warmer months.

After hatching, which usually takes from three to four days, larvae form a school that moves with the close protection of a male adult. Once the individuals reach a length of almost three centimeters they leave the school to fend for themselves. At this point, the juveniles are approximately one month in age. From this point on their growth rate occurs at different speeds throughout their lives. During the first year, largemouth bass grow from 10 to 20 centimeters in length. Growth rate decreases every year, and after about five to six years there is very little change in length.

The male which becomes aggressive and territorial builds the nest on muddy bottoms of shallow water. A female may spawn with several males on different nests. The male guards and fans the eggs. Spawning takes place spring to summer or when temperature reaches 15°C. Adults mate between the age of 5-12 years (Ref. 11243). Also Ref, 88808).

After hatching, which usually takes from three to four days, larvae form a school that moves with the close protection of a male adult. Once the individuals reach a length of almost three centimeters they leave the school to fend for themselves. At this point, the juveniles are approximately one month in age. From this point on their growth rate occurs at different speeds throughout their lives. During the first year, largemouth bass grow from 10 to 20 centimeters in length. Growth rate decreases every year, and after about five to six years there is very little change in length.

Largemouth bass live much longer in the wild than they do in captivity. The longest known lifespan of a wild largemouth bass was 23 years. The expected lifespan in the wild, though, is around 15 years. In captivity the longest lifespan recorded was 11 years, while the average age of death in captivity is around 6 years.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 23 (high) years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 15 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 10 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.0 years.

Largemouth bass live much longer in the wild than they do in captivity. The longest known lifespan of a wild largemouth bass was 23 years. The expected lifespan in the wild, though, is around 15 years. In captivity the longest lifespan recorded was 11 years, while the average age of death in captivity is around 6 years.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 23 (high) years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11 (high) years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 15 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 10 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 6 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 11.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 23 years (wild) Observations: Females appear to outlive males considerably (http://www.dlia.org/atbi/index.html).

During the breeding season, each male prepares and builds a nest in shallow water. Nests are generally very crude in design. Once the nest is built a female swims near, and following an act of courtship, she lay her eggs in the nest.

Mating System: polyandrous

Micropterus_salmoides breeds in the spring. This time is determined by the temperature of the water, which usually ends up being around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Females lay their eggs in the nests of males, and males then guard the eggs until they hatch. On average there are about 3,000 fry per nest, but as many as 6,000 have been observed (Becker, 1983). Following hatching, the schooling fry remain close to their father for at most one month (Dewoody et al., 2000). Largemouth bass females reach sexual maturity at four to five months of age, and males reach sexual maturity at three to four months of age.

Breeding interval: Largemouth bass breed once per year

Breeding season: Largemouth bass breed in the spring months (when water temperature reaches about 60 degrees Fahrenheit)

Range number of offspring: 6000 (high) .

Average number of offspring: 3000.

Range time to hatching: 3 to 4 days.

Average time to independence: 1 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4 to 5 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 3 to 4 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous

Female largemouth bass do not invest anything more than their gametes to their offspring. Males begin their investment by constructing nests as well as defending these nests from intruders. Once the eggs hatch males remain with their broods and defend them against all predators. This continues usually for about a month.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Protecting: Male); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male)

During the breeding season, each male prepares and builds a nest in shallow water. Nests are generally very crude in design. Once the nest is built a female swims near, and following an act of courtship, she lay her eggs in the nest.

Mating System: polyandrous

Micropterus salmoides breeds in the spring. This time is determined by the temperature of the water, which usually ends up being around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Females lay their eggs in the nests of males, and males then guard the eggs until they hatch. On average there are about 3,000 fry per nest, but as many as 6,000 have been observed (Becker, 1983). Following hatching, the schooling fry remain close to their father for at most one month (Dewoody et al., 2000). Largemouth bass females reach sexual maturity at four to five months of age, and males reach sexual maturity at three to four months of age.

Breeding interval: Largemouth bass breed once per year

Breeding season: Largemouth bass breed in the spring months (when water temperature reaches about 60 degrees Fahrenheit)

Range number of offspring: 6000 (high) .

Average number of offspring: 3000.

Range time to hatching: 3 to 4 days.

Average time to independence: 1 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4 to 5 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 3 to 4 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (External ); oviparous

Female largemouth bass do not invest anything more than their gametes to their offspring. Males begin their investment by constructing nests as well as defending these nests from intruders. Once the eggs hatch males remain with their broods and defend them against all predators. This continues usually for about a month.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Protecting: Male); pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Male); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Male)

Spawning occurs mainly in spring or early summer after water temperatures have become sufficently warm. Spawning occurs mid-April to mid-June near the southern end of the range in Alabama, late April to early July near the northern range limit in Wisconsin. In Texas, spawning begins as early as February or as late as May, depending on water temperature. Eggs hatch in a few to several days, depending on water temperature. Males guard the eggs and hatchlings until the young bass disperse about a month after hatching. Individuals become sexually mature in 2-5 years, depending on growth rate, which increases with increasing temperature. See Moyle (1976), Becker (1983), and Scott and Crossman (1973).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 29
Specimens with Barcodes: 90
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 24 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Micropterus_salmoides does not find itself on any of the lists of endangered species around the world. In fact the largemouth bass is one of the most successful fish, not only in its native areas, but also in freshwater areas all over the world where it has been introduced. There are certain fishing regulations that are set upon the catching of largemouth bass and these differ among regions. They involve either a limit to the number you can catch, a limit on the size that you can keep, or regulations on the season of the year in which you can catch them.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Micropterus salmoides does not find itself on any of the lists of endangered species around the world. In fact the largemouth bass is one of the most successful fish, not only in its native areas, but also in freshwater areas all over the world where it has been introduced. There are certain fishing regulations that are set upon the catching of largemouth bass and these differ among regions. They involve either a limit to the number you can catch, a limit on the size that you can keep, or regulations on the season of the year in which you can catch them.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Comments: Localized threats may exist, but on a range-wide scale no major threats are known.

Not Evaluated

With its many introductions all over the world, M._salmoides has had many negative impacts on the native ecosystems. Two of the main impacts are the loss of biodiversity and the homogenization of ecosystems. Introduced poplulations also influence the densities of other sport fishes like trout and walleye. These issues are currently being studied and management plans are being implemented all over the world.

Largemouth bass are important game fish. They are one of the most popular fishes to catch and they continue to bring popularity to the sport of fishing.

Positive Impacts: food ; research and education; controls pest population

fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

With its many introductions all over the world, M. salmoides has had many negative impacts on the native ecosystems. Two of the main impacts are the loss of biodiversity and the homogenization of ecosystems. Introduced poplulations also influence the densities of other sport fishes like trout and walleye. These issues are currently being studied and management plans are being implemented all over the world.

Largemouth bass are important game fish. They are one of the most popular fishes to catch and they continue to bring popularity to the sport of fishing.

Positive Impacts: food ; research and education; controls pest population

Comments: Extensively cultured in U.S. since 1930s.