Smallmouth bass
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit shallow rocky areas of lakes and clear and gravel-bottom runs and flowing pools of rivers . Young feed on plankton and immature aquatic insects while adults take in crayfish, fishes, and aquatic and terrestrial insects. They are sometimes cannibalistic . Preyed upon by fishes and turtles . They build nest, usually at three or four feet deep . Excellent food fish .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 10 - 11; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smallmouth bass is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Smallmouth bass is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
The male builds the nest in shallow waters of lakes and rivers, on sand, gravel, or rocky bottoms. Nest building usually occurs within 150 yards of where his nest was built in previous years. The pair swims about the nest, rubbing and nipping each other and eventually come to rest on the bottom. Actual spawning occurs and lasts for 5 seconds. The pair then encircles the nest for about 25-45 seconds, before settling to spawn again. This goes on for 2 hours. After spawning, the female leaves the nest and may spawn with another male in another nest. Males guard the eggs and young. .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 1 - 7 m . Subtropical; 9°C - 30°C ; 50°N - 33°N, 95°W - 63°W North America: St.
🌿 Ecology
plankton and immature aquatic insects while adults take in crayfish, fishes, and aquatic and terrest
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Smallmouth bass is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Smallmouth bass is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Smallmouth bass has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 965 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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