Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass belonging to the Centrarchidae sunfish family. This fish species is closely related to largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish crappies, bluegills, and many others. Smallmouths are particularly strong swimmers due to their robust fusiform body shape. The smallmouth bass's ctenoid scales range in colour from golden olive to dark brown on the dorsal side, which fades to a yellowish white on the ventral side. The body is marked with dark brown vertical bars or blotches, while the head is marked with dark brown horizontal bars. These fish are excellent ambush predators due to their strong fusiform body structure and camouflage-like colors. The coloration depends on the fish's age, environment, water quality, food, and spawning cycle.