Rock Bass
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Name and Code
Family
Centrarchidae - sunfishes and basses
Species
Ambloplites rupestris
Taxonomic Authority
(Rafinesque 1817)
Common Name(s)
Rock Bass
French Name
crapet de roche
Species Code
311
Family TSN
168093
Parent TSN
168096
Species TSN
168097
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2015-08-17)
National Rank (NRank)
N5 (2017-12-22)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S5 (1988-11-22)
COSEWIC Status
none
SARO Status
none
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native
General Abundance
common
Tolerance
intermediate
Economic Importance
pan fish
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-4.8243
Slope (b)
3.034
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Environment
benthopelagic
Trophic Class
invertivore/carnivore
Thermal Regime
coolwater
Habitat Preference
rocky or vegetated shallows of lakes and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers; reported to depths of 21 m; preferred water temperature range 21-26°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Guarders: Nest spawners: Polyphils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Spawning Season
spring
Spawning Month(s)
May-June
Spawning Temperature (°C)
16-23
Fecundity
2,000-11,000
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
15.2-26.7 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.06-0.35
Age at Maturity (yrs)
3-5
Maximum Length (cm)
43.0 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
1.64
Lifespan (yrs)
8-131
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
29.2 TL
Record Weight (kg)
1.36
Ontario Range Map
Rock Bass range
Ontario Distribution
widespread throughout except far north and northcentral Ontario
Photographs
Rock Bass photograph
Rock Bass photograph
Notes
(1) life span 5-6 years in riverine habitats; intolerant of low dissolved oxygen (<3 mg/L) and siltation; moderately tolerant of turbidity; sensitive to low pH (<5.6)
Information Sources
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