ROANOKE BASS Ambloplites cavifrons (Cope, 1869) 



Order: PERCIFORMES Family: CENTRARCHIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Similar to the rock bass, A. rupestria , except cheeks 

 naked or with minute scales, generally with 1 or 2 more soft rays in the dorsal and anal 

 fins, and with distinct dark longitudinal stripes on the body. 



Present distribution : Upper Tar and Neuse River watersheds in North Carolina and 

 possibly in the upper Roanoke River and some streams of Piedmont area, Virginia. 



Former distribution : Probably similar to the present . 



Status : Scarce . 



Estimated numbers : Unknown, 48 were taken during a 2-year study in North Carolina. 

 Several hundred offspring of wild fish are being reared (1969) in North Carolina State 

 hatcheries . 



Fecundity : About 26 eggs per gram of body weight; number of eggs from 4 fish varied 

 from 3,475 to 9,600. 



Reasons for decline : Roanoke bass habitat is in swift water in and near rocky rapids . 

 Much of this type of habitat is now inundated by reservoirs and some is covered by silt. 



Protective measures already taken : During the past 3 years (1968-1970), North Carolina 

 has been studying the biology of this species . Efforts are being made to establish Fishing 

 Creek as a wild and scenic river. 



Measures proposed : Continued studies; improvement of soil conservation practices; and 

 protection of habitat from destruction by impoundments . 



Number in captivity : See estimated numbers . 



Culture potential in captivity : Good. In North Carolina successful spawning has 

 occurred in hatchery ponds. Brood fish are timid and are easily disturbed. 



Remarks : Data provided by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the 

 Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries Commission, and Dr. Robert R. Miller, University 

 of Michigan. 



References : 



Cope, E. D. 1869. On the distribution of freshwater fishes in the Allegheny 



Region of southwestern Virginia. Journal, Academy of Natural Sciences of 



Philadelphia, 2nd ser . , Vol. 6, part 3, art. 5, p. 207-247. 

 Smith, W. B. 1968. Ecology of the Roanoke bass in North Carolina. Final Report, 



Job 11-A, Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Project F-16-R, North Carolina Wildlife 



Resources Commission (Mimeo), 3 p. 

 . 1969. The biology of the Roanoke bass . Study 2 . Annual Progress 



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