Micropterus punctulatus (Rafinesque, 1819)
Spotted bass
Micropterus punctulatus
photo by Lovshin, L.

Family:  Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Max. size:  63.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,650.0 g; max. reported age: 7 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Mississippi River basin from southern Ohio and West Virginia to southeastern Kansas, and south to the Gulf of Mexico, USA; Gulf Slope drainages from Chattahoochee in Georgia to Guadalupe River in Texas, USA. Introduced in southern Africa and has become established in several isolated water bodies.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabit clear, gravelly flowing pools and runs of creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 6465); also found in streams, lakes and reservoirs (Ref. 10294). Juveniles feed on small crustaceans and midge larvae while adults eat insects, larger crustaceans, frogs, worms, grubs and small fish (Ref. 6465, 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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