Rock Bass

The males care about the eggs for about 14 days (Ref. 93240) as well as the young (Ref. 2060). In Europe where it is introduced, males fan and defend the nests, which are shallow depressions in sand or gravel bottom along shallow shores. A male may spawn with several females in one nest and guard the nest until larvae leave the nest (Ref. 59043).

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 5 - 7; Analsoft rays: 9 - 11; Vertebrae: 29 - 32

Inhabits vegetated and brushy stream margins and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers, and rocky and vegetated margins of lakes. Most commonly found in clear, silt-free rocky streams. Feeds on small crustaceans, insects and fish (Ref. 30578).

Occurs usually in rocky areas in shallow water of lakes, and the lower, warm reaches of streams (Ref. 1998). Inhabits vegetated and brushy stream margins, pools of creeks and small to medium rivers, and rocky and vegetated margins of lakes (Ref. 86798). Commonly found in clear, silt-free rocky streams (Ref. 86798). Feeds on small crustaceans, insects and fish (Ref. 30578). An introduced species in Europe which avoids swift waters and occurs in a wide variety of slow-flowing to stagnant waters such as large rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and backwaters (Ref. 59043).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums