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Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) — Centrarchidae

Bass

Ambloplites cavifrons
Family: Centrarchidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) is a freshwater fish of the family Centrarchidae that grows up to 36 cm.

Length
36 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern USA; rocky and sandy pools of creeks and rivers.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Roanoke bass is a sunfish (Centrarchidae) from the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 35 cm and has a stocky, olive-brown body with golden flecks and red eyes. It inhabits rocky and sandy pools of creeks and small to medium rivers with clear, flowing water. As a predator it hunts insects, crustaceans, small fishes and other invertebrates. It is a valued sport fish with a restricted range. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bass?

The Bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Gold-speckled body with red eyes; sport fish with a limited range in the south-east of the United States.

Where does the Bass live?

The Bass lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeastern USA; rocky and sandy pools of creeks and rivers.

How big does the Bass get?

The Bass grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Bass is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bass edible?

Yes, the Bass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) — Centrarchidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Bradley Rasmussen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) — Centrarchidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (CC BY 2.0)
Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) — Centrarchidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Fletcher Stone, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) — Centrarchidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Fletcher Stone, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bass verified
Scientific name
Ambloplites cavifrons
Family
Centrarchidae
Other names
Roanoke Bass; Roanoke bass verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern USA; rocky and sandy pools of creeks and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, crustaceans, small fishes and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Gold-speckled body with red eyes; sport fish with a limited range in the south-east of the United States. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ambloplites

More from the family Centrarchidae

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