Micropterus punctulatus
(Rafinesque 1819)
Family Centrarchidae
The spotted bass is a member of the sunfish family. It has an elongate body and large mouth, with the upper jaw extending under the rear half of the eye. The body varies from silver-white to brassy green with dark olive mottling along the back and upper side. There is a black stripe along the side and rows of discrete black spots on the lower side body, with a black caudal spot. Spotted bass can be found in gravelly riffles, runs and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers.
Status & distribution
- Status — Non-indigenous freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
- River Drainages — the Apalachicola River