Overview
The color of is brown to olive green with pale blotches on the back, becoming lighter below. They are easily be distinguished from the sand basses by the fact that the third, fourth and fifth dorsal spines are about the same length, whereas the third dorsal spine of the sand basses is much longer than the fourth and fifth. This is a large and robust sunfish that looks like a cross between a bluegill and one of the black basses. Its body is less compressed than most sunfishes of the genus Lepomis, including the bluegill, and longer in profile. It has been known to reach 3 lbs (1.36 kg) but the more common size is about 8 oz (226 g). There is a black spot at the edge of the gill cover. The mouth is larger and more “basslike” than in most small sunfishes, the upper jaw reaching beyond the beginning of the eye, but not to the back of the eye. The two dorsal fins are clearly connected. The eyes are red The rock bass is frequently confused with the warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), it can be distinguished by the number of spines in front of the soft rayed anal fin; 3 spines in the warmouth, but 6 in the rock bass. To avoid these predators, rock bass depend on their coloration, which helps them stay camouflaged in their environment.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Centrarchidae
- Genus
- Ambloplites
- Species
- rupestris
Habitat
They prefer small, cool, weedy lakes and streams and the outer edges of larger lakes, always over rocky bottoms (hence the name “rock” bass) where no silt is present, turbidity is low and cover is extensive. They range in waters as shallow as 1 meter.
Diet
Rock bass have a varied diet which includes the plants found in their habitat. Rock bass also prey on small crustaceans like crayfish, insects such as small larvae, and smaller fish, including smaller individuals of their own species
Behavior
During spawning, male rock bass do not eat. Male rock bass guard the nest of the newly spawned eggs. This nest becomes their home range, spanning between 20 and 30 cm in diameter. To protect the nest from predators, they perform circling behaviors. Males are very aggressive during spawning season. When faced with an intruder, they race towards it with spread gill flaps or display an open mouth. In the winter months, rock bass can be found in schools and slowly go their separate ways as spring approaches for spawning activity
Fishing
They are scrappy fighters but tire quickly. The flesh is firm, white, and makes excellent eating.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.