Largemouth bass
Micropterus salmoides
The largemouth bass is a fish with a robust body that can reach a maximum size in our waters of about 55 cm. It has a very wide mouth where the lower jaw protrudes from the upper. It has two dorsal fins, the first with spiny radii and the latter with soft radii. The coloration of the body is silvery with greenish tones and bands of dark irregular spots.
It is a species native to North America. It was introduced to Catalonia more than half a century ago and is present in most reservoirs and in some low sections of slow-flowing rivers..
The largemouth bass prefers slow or no running water. In the spring the males build a nest where they can spawn multiple females. They feed on invertebrates when they are young and on fish and crayfish when they are adults.
Being a large predator can cause impacts on some native species.
Distribution
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
It is a small fish that usually does not measure more than 15 cm. The body is tall and compressed laterally. In the posterior margin of the operculum they have a black spot bordered by red and white They have two dorsal fins, the former with spiny radii. The body is brightly colored and very varied.
The sunfish originates from the rivers on the Atlantic side of the United States. The introduction of pumpkinseed in Catalonia is ancient and is now found in most basins, both in rivers and reservoirs.
It inhabits slow-flowing river stretches, in shallow areas with vegetation. The eggs are defended by the males until the fry have dispersed. They feed on invertebrates and fish fry.
Pumpkinseed causes a high ecological impact on native species due to its great voracity.
Distribution
