Ecology of Micropterus salmoides
 
Main Ref. Turner, J.L., 1966
Remarks Inhabit streams and lakes (Ref. 10294). Survive in the cool areas of some highland dams where they were introduced as sporting fish (Ref. 4967). Introduced in Europe since 1883. Prefer warm waters of 27°C (Ref. 11273) and occur in small shallow lakes (maximum depth of 6 m) or in shallow bays of big lakes. Rarely found in big rivers (Ref. 11243). Juveniles feed mainly on invertebrates, plankton and insect larvae (Ref. 10294, 11243); individuals from 5 cm TL become almost exclusively piscivores but also feed on frogs and some crustaceans. These are dusk and dawn feeders, feeding in schools chasing their prey near the surface and in zones with vegetation. Feeding slows down in winter and during spawning (Ref. 11243). Preyed upon by herons, bitterns, and kingfishers (Ref. 1998).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Micropterus salmoides may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref. Halwart, M. and M.V. Gupta, 2004

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Turner, J.L., 1966
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Turner, J.L., 1966
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition 3.84 0.40 3.86 0.63 Troph of juv./adults from 1 study.
From individual food items 4.42 1.06 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref. Turner, J.L., 1966
(e.g. 346)
(e.g. oophagy)
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