Micropterus nigricans (salmoides)
We usually dedicate a post every October to a species that is not native to South Africa but, through human actions, have become an invasive pest in our ecosystems. The year we feature the Largemouth Bass, a species from North America introduced to our country’s freshwater systems a 100 years ago for recreational fishing purposes.
The Largemouth Bass flourishes in a variety of water bodies, from farm dams to large rivers and impoundments, and can now be found in all our provinces and even some of our most well known conservation areas. They’re ferocious predators of other fish, crabs, frogs, insects and even small birds and mammals and have had a tremendous impact on endemic fish species, driving many to the brink of extinction.
The Largemouth Bass can grow to a length of 75cm and a weight of over 10kg. They have a life expectancy of up to 12 years in the wild.
