The ultimate stream fish colonizer

This fish is one of the first colonizers of disturbed stream habitats. It has a large mouth (reaching past the front of the eye) for a cyprinid and can live off a variety of food types, including terrestrials that fall in the stream. The distinguishing characteristic is the large mouth and the large black spot at the origin of the dorsal fin. Males and females will often look different from the same water body -- there is a black caudal spot that is common in all but the larger individuals. IN preparation for spawning the male digs a pit in the stream bottom by removing mouthfuls of gravels and then stands guard hoping to attract females. This species also has a small flap like barbel in the groove above the corner of the mouth (it is observable in the drawing on the left). HINT: World Record Bass was caught June 2, 1932 on a lure named after this fish.