Fish Exam 3 A (Moronidae, Centrarchidae)

Bass and sunfishes

Moronidae

Temperate bass family

Morone chrysops

• Moronidae

• Black horizontal stripes on sides

• Bulkier deep body compared to M. saxatilis

• Stair step anal spines

• Protruding lower jaw

• Deep bodied

Morone saxatilis

• Moronidae

• Black horizontal stripes on sides, usually continuous

• Body more elongate and less deep than M. chrysops

• Protruding lower jaw

• Stair step anal spines

Morone mississippiensis

• Moronidae

• Black horizontal stripes on sides with lower stripes broken and shifted (distinct stripe pattern)

• Second anal spine nearly as long as third

• Lower and upper jaws even

Centratchidae

Freshwater bass, crappie, true sunfish family

Centrarchus macropterus

• Centrarchidae

• Dark suborbital bar or teardrop

• 7-9 spines in anal fin, 14 or more soft rays

• Deep body

• Sides w/ scattered dark spots

Pomoxis annularis

• Centrarchidae

• Vertical bars on sides

• Anal fin with 6-7 spines

• Length of dorsal fin base is less than the distance from the origin of the dorsal fin to middle of eye

• Very deep + laterally compressed body

• 6 dorsal spines

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

• Centrarchidae

• Lacks vertical bars on the sides

• Anal fin with 6-7 spines

• Length of dorsal fin base is equal to the distance from the origin of the dorsal fin to middle of eye

• Very deep + laterally compressed body

• 7-8 dorsal spines

Elassoma zonatum

• Centrarchidae

• Extremely small (1” maximum)

• 9-12 dark veritcal bars

• Shallow-bodied and laterally compressed

• Single dorsal fin

Ambloplites rupestris

• Centrarchidae

• 5-7 spines in anal fin, 11 or fewer soft rays

• Dark mottling on body and fins

Micropterus dolomieu

• Centrarchidae

• Bronze coloration with dark blotches or vertical bars on sides

• Dorsal spines nearly equal in height

• No dark spots or flecks on ventral side

Micropterus punctulatus

• Centrarchidae

• Wide black lateral stripe or nearly confluent blotches

• Lines or dark pigment spots on the lower sides

• Dorsal spines nearly equal in height

• Maxillary extends to or slightly behind the eye in larger individuals

Micropterus nigricans

• Centrarchidae

• Wide black lateral stripe or nearly confluent blotches

• Tallest dorsal spine more than twice height of shortest posterior spine

• Few scattered flecks of dark pigment on the lower sides

• Maxillary extends behind the eye in larger individuals

Lepomis gulosus

• Centrarchidae

• Light bars radiating from the eye

• Looks like Ambloplites, but has 3 anal fin spines

• Large mouth

Lepomis cyanellus

• Centrarchidae

• Opercular lobe block with pale margin and bony to edge

• Large mouth - maxilla extending well beyond anterior rim of eye

• Vermiculation on head

Lepomis auritus

• Centrarchidae

• Opercular lobe black, fleshy, lacking pale border

• Vermiculation on pre-orbital area and cheek (but minimal compared to others)

Lepomis megalotis

• Centrarchidae

• Opercular lobe dark, fleshy, with white margin on tip

• Small mouth

• Bright blue vermiculation on cheeks and opercles (most)

Lepomis macrochirus

• Centrarchidae

• Long pectoral fins that are moderately to sharply pointed, will reach past anterior margin of eye when depressed anteriorly

• Opercular lobe completely black and fleshy to its margin

• Dorsal fin with dusky spot in posterior base, but not always

Lepomis microlophus

• Centrarchidae

• Opercular lobe bony to margin with white dot on posterior margin (often concave) that is red in life

• Long, sharpy pointed pectoral fins that extend well past anterior margin of eye and dorsum if depressed anteriorly or dorsally (respectively)

Lepomis miniatus

• Centrarchidae

• Pale spots on body (red in life), cheeks with dark colored spots opercular lobe stiff to its margin

• No vermiculation on cheeks

• Pale spot at anterior end of lateral line