Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) is a freshwater species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 0–21 m.
Scientific name: Ambloplites rupestris · Water: Freshwater
Size: up to 43 cm
The rock bass is a benthopelagic centrarchid that occurs usually in rocky areas in the shallow water of lakes and the lower, warm reaches of streams, inhabiting vegetated and brushy stream margins, pools of creeks and small to medium rivers, and the rocky and vegetated margins of lakes; it is commonly found in clear, silt-free rocky streams. It feeds on small crustaceans, insects and fish, and it is recorded from the surface down to 21 m. It has been introduced in Europe, where it avoids swift water and occurs in a wide variety of slow-flowing to stagnant waters such as large rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and backwaters. Maximum length is about 43 cm total length, commonly about 15.4 cm, and it can live 18 years. It is a minor commercial species, a gamefish and a public aquarium fish. Fishing vulnerability is moderate at 41 of 100 and resilience low. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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