Tallapoosa bass
(Micropterus tallapoosae)

Endemic to the Tallapoosa River system above the Fall Line, USA.
Max length : 40.6 cm SL

Max. published weight: 1.8 kg

Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11.

A member of Micropterus coosae species group that is a distinct genetic lineage and differs from all members of the group except M. chattahoochae, by having larger scales (mean 2.9% SL vs. 2.7% or less), 63-67 lateral-line scales (vs. 68-74), 26-28 scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 29-32), 89-98 lateral-line scales plus scales around the caudal peduncle (vs. 96 or more), and 10-13 vertical bars with the 6-12 long (extending well below body midline) vertical bars along the midline of the body, anteriorly, followed by 2-5 vertically elongate spots along the midline, posteriorly; from all species except M. cahabae, by lacking orange or red pigments on fin rays (fin rays green or yellow-green); from M. chattahoochae by a narrower postfrontal width 11.2% SL (vs. 11.8%); further distinguished from M. chattahoochae, and M. cf. coosae (Savannah River) by smaller tooth patch (less than 1.0 mm in 55%, absent in 25% of individuals examined vs. 1.0 mm or greater in 66.7% or more, absent in 0.0%-9.0%); and from M. warriorensis by more often having a tooth patch (absent in 25% vs. 83%) (Ref. 93229).