Ozark bass
Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox The Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Centrarchiformes. It is native only to the White River, Sac River, James River, and Pomme de Terre River drainages of Missouri and Arkansas. The species is commonly referred to as "goggle-eye".
Description
The Ozark bass is a comparatively slender species of rock bass with a large eye<ref name = Robson>Template:Cite book</ref> which has a red iris.<ref name = Cashner>Template:Cite journal</ref> The brownish-green body has an irregular pattern of black speckling.<ref name = roughfishing>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This species attains a maximum total length of Template:Convert, but they are normally around Template:Convert and the maximum published weight is Template:Convert.<ref name = Fishbase>{{#invoke:Cite taxon|main|fishbase|genus=Ambloplites|species=constellatus|subspecies=}}</ref>
Distribution
The Ozark bass is native to the Ozarks upland reaches of the White River system in Missouri and Arkansas. They have been introduced elsewhere but have failed to establish populations in those areas.<ref name = NatureServe/>
Habitat and biology
The Ozark bass occurs in creeks and small to medium permanent rivers with high levels of dissolved oxygen, plentiful aquatic vegetation, low turbidity, and sand or rocky beds substrates, with a preference for clear rocky pools close to the banks, boulders, or submerged wood. Males create nests in gravel or small stone substrates, and these are normally situated around a metre of cover.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> Spawning starts when the water temperature reaches Template:Cvt.<ref name = Walters>Template:Cite journal</ref> The male excavates a nest in sand or gravel which is Template:Convert in diameter at depths of Template:Convert. The females lay eggs in the nest, and the male guards the nest until the fry depart.<ref name = Aquarium>Template:Cite book</ref>
Relationship with humans
They are a popular game fish in small streams and rivers. The IGFA world record for the species is a twoway tie with fish weighing Template:Cvt caught from Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas and the James River in Missouri.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
References
- {{#if:168100
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| url = https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168100 | title = Ambloplites constellatus | publisher = Integrated Taxonomic Information System }}
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
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