Suwannee bass
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The Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Centrarchiformes. One of the black basses, This species is native to just two river systems in Florida and Georgia, although it has been introduced elsewhere.
Description
The Suwannee bass is a rather small species compared to its congeners and has a deep body with a large mouth in which the maxilla is placed beneath the eye and there is a circular patch of teeth on the tongue. The base of the soft part of the dorsal fin and the anal fin are scaled. They are mostly brown in colour marked with a dozen olive blotches on the flanks. These blotches are wider than the gaps between them towards the head but they merge towards the tail eventually creating a horizontal band near the caudal peduncle. There is a large blotch at the base of the caudal fin which has a pale margin, this is more obvious in young fish which also show bold mottling on the soft part of the dorsal fin, the anal fin and the caudal fin. In the breeding season, the adults show a turquoise colouration on the cheek, breast and belly.<ref name = GBP>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This species attains a maximum total length of Template:Convert although a more usual total length would be around Template:Convert and the maximum published weight is Template:Convert.<ref name = Fishbase>{{#invoke:Cite taxon|main|fishbase|genus=Micropterus|species=notius|subspecies=}}</ref>
Distribution
The Suwannee bass is endemic to the southeastern United States where it is native to the lower Suwannee and Ochlockonee River systems in Florida and a small part of Georgia.<ref name = FNAI>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It has been introduced into the St. Marks River and the Wacissa River in Florida.<ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021" />
Habitat and biology
The Suwannee bass is found in fast-moving shallow areas of rivers, known as shoals, over limestone, this is frequently covered in sand. They usually prefer neutral or basic waters, originating in springs emerging from aquifers in the limestone. They are uncommon in the lower parts of the Suwannee River where there is a tidal influence, but are absent from the upper reaches which are dominated by acidic waters draining from the Okefenokee Swamp.<ref name = FNAI/> This species has a diet which is dominated by crayfish, although they will eat other invertebrates and fishes. In the lower, tidal reaches of the Suwannee River, the blue crab is taken by this species. The spawning season runs from February to May, peaking in April and May, when the water temperature reaches Template:Convert The eggs are laid in circular depressions excavated near the edges of the streams where they are fertilised by the male. The male then guards the eggs up to the point of hatching. Females have a faster growth rate and attain larger sizes than the males, the males rarely attain lengths greater than Template:Convert. The females can have a life span of up to 12 years although in the males it is 9 years.<ref name = GBP/>
Taxonomy
The Suwannee bass was first formally described by Reeve Maclaren Bailey and Carl Leavitt Hubbs in 1949 with the type locality given as Head of Ichetucknee Springs at Lead, Columbia County, Florida.<ref name = CofF>Template:Cof record</ref>
Relationship with humans
While not as well known as other black basses, M. notius is also fished for sport. The IGFA all tackle world record for the species stands at Template:Convert caught from the Suwannee River in 1985.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
References
- {{#if:168164
| {{#invoke:template wrapper|wrap|_template=cite web|_exclude=id,ID,taxon
| url = https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168164 | title = Micropterus notius | publisher = Integrated Taxonomic Information System }}
| Template:Citation error }} Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/fish/freshwater/suwannee-bass/