Alternative common names:
The largemouth bass is an olive green fish with a series of dark, sometimes black, blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. The upper jaw extends beyond the rear margin of the eye socket.
Where does this species come from?
What is its invasive status in South Africa?
NEMBA Category 1b.
Where in South Africa is it a problem?
Rivers in the Eastern Cape.
How does it spread?
Introduced into many countries due to its popularity as a sport fish.
Why is it a problem?
It is a predator with no competition. It is pushing out indigenous species and could cause extinction of certain species.
What does it look like?
Description: The largemouth bass is olive green with dark blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. Females are larger than males. It can grow up to 75cm in length and weigh up to 11.4kg. It has an average lifespan of 16 years. The upper jaw reaches far beyond the rear margin of the eye socket.
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands.
Breeding: The male prepares the nest, usually in 1-4 feet of water, by using his fins to expose gravel, shells or plant roots on the bottom, making a circle of 2-3 feet across.
"Kama jina linavyotumiwa, ""Largemouth bass"" ni samaki mwenye rangi ya kijani-kibichi na mfululizo wa madoa meusi, wakati mwingine meusi, yanayofanyiza mstari wa usawa uliochongoka kando ya kila upande." Mdomo wa juu huenea zaidi ya ukingo wa nyuma wa shimo la jicho. Spishi hii hutoka wapi? Ni nini hali yake ya uvamizi katika Afrika Kusini? NEMBA (Kundi la 1b) Ni wapi katika Afrika Kusini ni tatizo? Mito katika Eastern Cape. Inaeneaje? Ilianzishwa katika nchi nyingi kwa sababu ya umaarufu wake kama samaki wa michezo. Kwa nini hilo ni tatizo? Ni mnyama-mwitu asiye na ushindani. Inasukuma spishi za wenyeji na inaweza kusababisha kutoweka kwa spishi fulani. Inaonekanaje? Maelezo: Mnyama huyo ana rangi ya kijani-kibichi yenye madoa meusi yanayofanyiza mstari wa usawa uliochongoka kando ya kila upande. Wanawake ni wakubwa kuliko wanaume. Inaweza kukua hadi urefu wa sentimita 75 na uzito wa kilo 11.4. Kwa wastani, ina maisha ya miaka 16. Mdomo wa juu hufikia mbali zaidi ya ukingo wa nyuma wa kiota cha jicho. Mahali pa kuishi: Maziwa, vidimbwi, vijito na maeneo yenye unyevunyevu. Mnyama wa kiume huandaa kiota, kwa kawaida katika maji ya mita 1 hadi 4, kwa kutumia mabawa yake kufunua mchanga, magamba au mizizi ya mimea chini, na kufanya mduara wa mita 2 hadi 3.