Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Family: Centrarchidae
Etymology: Micro = small; pterus = fin; salmoides = salmon-like
This is an introduced species that is highly predatory. It likely competes with native piscivores (fish-eating fishes) such as the Sacramento Pikeminnow.
The Largemouth Bass (top) is distinguished from the closely related Smallmouth Bass (bottom) by the size of the mouth. The outside bone of the upper jaw (the maxilla) extends to the very back of the eye and beyond in the Largemouth Bass but not quite as far in the Smallmouth Bass. The distinction can sometimes be subtle!