Species #160 — Rock Bass

Species: Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) Location: Buffalo, New York Date: July 18, 2018 People always look to be exceptional. They long for that place where they stick out, are the exception to the rule. Alas, I’m no different. My first Rock Bass, pictured above, was obviously a Rock Bass. I caught it in a park-like slough…

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Species #142 — Dimerus Cichlid

Species: Dimerus Cichlid (Cichlasoma dimerus) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 “Dimerus Cichlid” is the currently-accepted common name for Cichlasoma dimerus. It looks different from Black Acara at first glance, but it’s hard to place. Here are the key distinguising features: 1) It isn’t as dark. 2) The fins don’t flow or flutter out as much. 3)…

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Species #141 — Jack Dempsey Cichlid

Species: Jack Dempsey Cichlid (Rocio octofasciata) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 The Jack Dempsey Cichlid was one of a few “longshots” I had on my Target List for my visit to Orlando. I knew they’d been recorded, but based on my research, only in scattered pockets, isolated ponds, and the like. In fact, their range…

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Species #140 — Black Acara

Species: Black Acara (Cichlasoma bimaculatum) Location: Orlando, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 I was told these would be easy to catch. Once I found them, that proved true. Unfortunately, I struck out several times before finding the sweet spot. Alas, it was worth the wait. When I did find them, I also found half a dozen other…

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Species #138 — Redbreast Sunfish

Species: Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) Location: Little Wekiva River, Florida Date: July 8, 2018 Though I was born and raised in Oregon, I’m a flip-flop man. I would’ve said I’m a thong man, but some of my students read this blog, and this isn’t the 90s anymore; “thongs” don’t have anything to do with feet these days….

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Species #136 — Dollar Sunfish

Species: Dollar Sunfish (Lepomis marginatus) Location: Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, Orlando, FL Date: July 7, 2018 You don’t need to go to McDonald’s to find the Dollar Menu because Dollar Sunfish are on the menu for damn near every fish in the Southeastern United States. In Florida, this means bass and gar and Bowfin, as well as…

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Species #110 — Nile Tilapia

Species: Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Location: Phoenix, Arizona Date: November 16, 2017 This story is part of a larger story involving me, a bold cockroach, disappointment, and elusive Grass Carp. Since I’m going to retell much of this story in the subsequent post about Species #111 — Grass Carp, I’ll just focus on the tilapia here. ***…

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