SUWANNEE BASS Micropterus notius (Bailey and Hubbs, 1949) 



Order: PERCIFORMES Family: CENTRARCHIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A black bass with large scales, blue underparts 

 anteriorly, pigmentation similar to a largemouth bass, but other characters similar to 

 a spotted bass . 



Present distribution : Ichtucknee Springs, Columbia County, and adjacent springs in 

 northern Florida and Ochlocknee River , Florida . 



Former distribution : The same . 



Status : Range very restricted. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown . 



Fecundity : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : No data that this species has declined. 



Protective measures already taken : The State of Florida has acquired Ichtucknee 

 Springs. 



Measures proposed : Establishment of this species in other suitable waters . 



Number in captivity : A few young and adults are maintained in experimental ponds at 

 Auburn University, Alabama. 



Culture potential in captivity : Suwannee bass spawned in the Auburn University ponds 

 during the spring of 1970. 



Remarks : Spraying of herbicides or insecticides might easily eliminate a species so 

 restricted geographically as this appears to be. Data submitted by Dr. Robert R. Miller, 

 University of Michigan, Florida Division of Game and Fresh Water Fish, and the Alabama 

 Cooperative Fishery Unit, Auburn University. 



Reference : 



Bailey, R. M. and C. L. Hubbs. 1949. The black basses (Micropterus ) of Florida, 

 with description of a new species. Occ . Pap. Mus . Zool . Univ. Mich., 

 No. 516, 40 p. 

 Ramsey, J. S. 1973. (Personal communication - letter to Stephen H. Taub dated 

 January 24, 1973). 



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