Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris


Physical Description:
Compressed, stocky body
Large, terminal mouth
Dark-edged anal fin
Large cheek scales
Rounded pectoral fin
Almost straight-edged tail fin
Red eye
Olive-brown peppering on body
5 anal fins

Similar species:
Roanoke bass (Ambloplites cavifrons)
Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus)

Mean body size:
Adults are 110-200 mm standard length

Habitat:
Clear, moderate-gradient, cool to warm streams and rivers, usually around cover
Avoid areas of heavy to moderate siltation and turbidity


Food Habits:
Young eat microcrustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates
Juveniles and adults eat crayfish, fish, insects, and other invertebrates

Reproductive Habits:
Mature in 3 years
Spawning occurs April to early June in water that is 15.6-26�C
Males fan out circular nests in shallows on coarse sand to gravel and defend the nest
Fecundity is 2,000-11,000 eggs per female