The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Sunfishes

Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Compressed, stocky body
ï¿½	Large, terminal mouth
ï¿½	Dark-edged anal fin
ï¿½	Large cheek scales
ï¿½	Rounded pectoral fin
ï¿½	Almost straight-edged tail fin
ï¿½	Red eye
ï¿½	Olive-brown peppering on body
ï¿½	5 anal fins

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Roanoke bass (Ambloplites cavifrons)
ï¿½	Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 110-200 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Clear, moderate-gradient, cool to warm streams and rivers, usually around cover
ï¿½	Avoid areas of heavy to moderate siltation and turbidity

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Big Sandy and Tennessee drainages
ï¿½	Introduced to the New and Atlantic slope drainages 

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Young eat microcrustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates
ï¿½	Juveniles and adults eat crayfish, fish, insects, and other invertebrates

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature in 3 years
ï¿½	Spawning occurs April to early June in water that is 15.6-26ï¿½C
ï¿½	Males fan out circular nests in shallows on coarse sand to gravel and defend the nest
ï¿½	Fecundity is 2,000-11,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Popular game fish
ï¿½	Stocked in many of Virginia's drainages
ï¿½	Competes with Roanoke bass and brook trout 
ï¿½	Referred to as ï¿½redeyeï¿½ 

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):