Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Category: Invasive
A predatory bass that threatens Hawaiʻi’s native freshwater species.
Small Mouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
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Elongated body, typically green in color with red eyes and dark brown stripes 3
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Average adult length is 30-50 cm 3
Habitat
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Typically found in lakes and streams with rock or gravel bottoms 1
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Prefers clear water with protective coverings 1
Impacts & Concern
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Reducing abundance and diversity of native fish populations through predation 3
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Indirectly altering planktonic and benthic communities 1
Introduction
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Initially introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1897, then again to Oʻahu in 1908 and to Kauai in 1911 4
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Introductions before 1953 failed 2
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Introduced to Hawaiʻi from California in 1953 2
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Intentionally brought over for sportfishing, and became established in the Nuʻuanu Reservoir on Oʻahu 2
Distribution in Hawai‘i
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Kauaʻi: Present
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O‘ahu: Present
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Molokaʻi: Not documented
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Lānaʻi: Not documented
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Maui: Not documented
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Hawaiʻi Island: Present
References
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US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2019). Smallmouth Bass Ecological Risk Screening Summary. USFWS. https://www.fws.gov/fisheries/ans/erss/highrisk/ERSS-Micropterus-dolomieu_Final.pdf.
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Fuller, P., Cannister, M., Neilson, M. (2019). Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) – Species Profile. US Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=396.
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CABI. (2019). Micropterus dolomieu (smallmouth bass). Invasive Species Compendium. https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/74844.
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Mundy, B.C. (2005) Checklist of the fishes of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bishop Museum Bulletin in Zoology 6. Bishop Museum Press. 704pp.
