Data sheet largemouth bass
Latin name:
Micropterus salmoides
Trade name:
Largemouth Bass
order name:
Sunfish (Centraarchiformes)
Family:
Sunfish (Centraarchidae)
Genus:
Micropterus
Origin:
North America, Saint Lawrence River, Hudson Bay, Mississippi River, Florida, Mexico
Size (in cm:
40 to 100
pond size
Length and width:
4 meters long, 2 meters wide
Content in litres:
15 000 liters
water values
pH:
6.5 to 8.5 pH
GH:
8 to 12 dH
CH:
5°dh and 10°dh
behavior/stocking
Area:
in open water
Lining:
omnivore
Behave:
school fish
Number:
2 to 10 fish
Life expectancy:
over 20 years
socialization:
no
Difficulty level:
Advanced Totti, Micropterus salmoides Lake Biwa Museum1, CC BY-SA 4.0
key data
Largemouth bass belong to the sunfish family. They can reach a size of over 100 centimeters. Most of the time, however, they will be between 40 and 70 centimeters tall. An adult largemouth bass weighs around 10 kilograms.
This is relatively small given the size. This is partly due to the elongated, flat physique. The head makes up almost a quarter of the length and therefore appears very large. The two-part dorsal fin is particularly striking.
In terms of colour, the range of largemouth bass is limited to shades of green. Most fish are olive or grey-green. The flank is decorated with a dark band with a different pattern. Because largemouth bass are different from others feed on fish, crustaceans and frogs, they are difficult to keep company. They eat small fish. It is important to take this into account.
It is known that the big fish also eat mammals and birds. If you are a bird lover or have small cats in your garden regularly, you should probably put another fish in the pond. Koi and goldfish are very peaceful.
Largemouth bass live in nature in Europe since 1880. In Germany they are mainly found in lakes or in brackish water. They occur in larger populations in Lake Wörthersee, Lake Garda and Lake Kaltern.
Originally the fish come from North America. There they live in large lakes and rivers. The most famous rivers include the Mississippi and the Saint Lawrence River.
gender differences
Visually it is very difficult to distinguish largemouth bass. The only difference is the size. adults females are larger as adult males. If the animals are of different ages, the size is of course no longer a guide. For this reason, when buying a young fish, the gender is purely a guess.
breed
In good conditions, largemouth bass breeding is not a big problem. Micropterus salmoides spawns between March and July. The Water temperature must be at least 16 °C to reach. Before spawning, the male builds a large spawning pit in shallow water. This pit is then carefully padded with plant remains.
The female then lays about in this hole 1,000 to 5,000 eggs away. After the eggs are laid, the nest is guarded by both sexes.
rearing
Depending on the water temperature and the region, the fish larvae hatch after 2 to 6 days. The male takes care of the brood and guards it fish larvaeuntil this after about 14 days of free swimming.
It is not difficult to feed young largemouth bass as they will eat just about anything. However, they particularly like amphipods, water fleas, copepods, small fish, shrimp and insects. Due to their feeding behavior, they are not well suited to socializing with young fish either.
socialization
Since largemouth bass are predatory fish, the socialization with smaller fish very difficult. Mostly smaller animals are considered and consumed as food. For this reason, it is advisable to keep largemouth bass only with other large perch.
largemouth bass eat the young fish too larger species of fish such as catfish, white bass, trout, zander, striped bass and smallmouth bass. The prey fish can be up to 60 percent of their own body length.
Are largemouth bass good for a garden pond?
Well, the question is not easy to answer. Largemouth bass are certainly not the typical ornamental fish for a garden pond. They are hunters and grow amazingly large.
It is definitely easier to keep classic pond fish such as goldfish. If the goldfish is too boring for you, you can try the largemouth bass. The animals are amazing intelligent and become right with loving care trusting.
The largemouth bass pond must not be connected to any native body of water such as a stream, nor may largemouth bass be released. Largemouth bass are a threat to many native fish species.