TN00033 FLIER CENTRARCHUS MACROPTERUS
| Species ID | TN00033 |
| Name | FLIER |
| Other Common Names | |
| Category | 01 Fish |
| Elcode | |
| Phylum | CHORDATA |
| Subphylum | VERTEBRATA |
| Class | OSTEICHTHYES |
| Subclass | |
| Suborder | |
| Order | PERCIFORMES |
| Family | CENTRARCHIDAE |
| Genus | CENTRARCHUS |
| Species | MACROPTERUS |
| Subspecies | |
| Authority | LACEPEDE 1802 |
| Scientific Name | CENTRARCHUS MACROPTERUS |
Comments
MONOTYPIC GENUS; POMOXIS SEEMS MOST CLOSELY RELATED GENUS IN TRIBE CENTRARCHINI *816*; MAY HYBRIDIZE WITH ROCK BASS (AMBLOPLITES RUPESTRIS) *1178*; A HYBRID OF THE FLIER AND WHITE CRAPPIE HAS BEEN REPORTED *5174*
| Status Code | Status Translation | References |
| 221 | Game (Consumptive Recreational) | 4451 |
| 000 | Unclassified | TN5002 |
| County Name | Historical Occurrence | Resident Occurrence | General Occurrence | Seasonal Occurrence | Abundance |
| Benton | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Chester | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Crockett | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Decatur | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Dyer | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Hardin | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Haywood | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Henderson | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Henry | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Lake | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Lauderdale | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| McNairy | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Madison | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Obion | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Shelby | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Tipton | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons | |
| Weakley | 2 | 2 | 2 | All Seasons |
| Absent Within Counties | Unknown Within Counties |
Hydrologic Unit Code References TN5057, TN5052
| Quadrangle | Quadrangle Name |
Quadrangle Distribution References
| Ecoregion | Ecoregion Name |
| 221500 | Oak-Hickory Forest |
| 231200 | Southern Flood Plain Forest |
| 232000 | Southeastern Mixed Forest |
Ecoregion Distribution References TN5057
| River Reach | River Reach Name |
River Reach References
Distribution General Comments
General Distribution References
Habitat(s): Aquatic
Comments on General Habitat
This species prefers sluggish channels, backwaters and pools in small to large streams and is prolific in swamps ponds ans lakes. They have adapted to low-pH waters of the Coastal Plains and are found in upper mesohaline zones, to 7 ppt salinity *4205*.
General Habitat References
4205
| Forest Size Class Association |
Forest Size Class Association References
| Society of American Forester's Type Associations | Seral Stage | Canopy Closure |
References on SAF Type Association
| Land Use/Land Cover Associations |
| Streams and Canals |
| Lakes |
Land Use/Land Cover Association References
TN5071, TN5174, 1310
| National Wetlands Inventory Associations | Class | Modifier | Special Modifier |
| LACUSTRINE | |||
| Palustrine | Aquatic Bed | ||
| Riverine, lower perennial | Aquatic Bed | Nontidal, permanent | pH freshwater, circumneutral |
| Palustrine | |||
| Riverine, lower perennial | Nontidal, permanent | fresh | |
| PALUSTRINE | Aquatic Bed |
NWI Association References
TN5058, TN5071, TN5174, 1187, 5376, 6193, 4205, 816, 1310
| Animal/Plant Associations |
Animal/Plant Association References
TN5182
Habitat Evaluation Procedures Comments on HEP
HEP References
| Potential Natural Vegetation Associations |
| Mosaic of Bluestem Prairie and Oak-Hickory Forest |
| Oak-Hickory Forest |
| Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest |
| Southeastern Floodplain Forest |
PNV References
TN5057
| USFS Associations |
USFS References
| Tennessee Habitat Associations | Habitat Value | Translation |
References on TENHAB Association
| Habitat Relationships | Special Habitat Relationships |
References on Habitat Relationships
Trophic| References | |
| Carnivore | 4205 |
| Lifestage | Food Item Consumed | Part of Food Item |
| General | Chlorophyta | See Comments |
| General | Chrysophyta | See Comments |
| Juvenile | Ostracods | Not Specified |
| Juvenile | COPEPODS | Not Specified |
| Juvenile | Ephemeroptera | Not Specified |
| Juvenile | Diptera | Not Specified |
| Juvenile | Coleoptera | Not Specified |
| Juvenile | Hemiptera | Not Specified |
| Adult | COPEPODS | Not Specified |
| Adult | Diptera | Not Specified |
| Adult | Coleoptera | Not Specified |
| Adult | Hemiptera | Not Specified |
| Adult | Osteichthyes | Not Specified |
| General | Chlorophyta | See Comments |
| General | Chrysophyta | See Comments |
| Adult | Perciformes | Not Specified |
Comments on General Food Habits
Tennessee Narrative 1100 AND 1200 - FILAMENTOUS ALGAE HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED AS A FOOD ITEM *TN5174* 9999S - FLIERS OVER 7 INCHES FEED PRIMARILY ON INSECTS; WITH FISH AND CRUSTACEANS EACH MAKING UP ABOUT 7 PERCENT OF THE DIET *1187* 9999S - THE LANRGE SIZE OF THE MOUTH IS RELATED TO A MORE PISCIVOROUS DIET THAN MOST SUNFISHES *1178*' 0400S - FILAMENTOUS ALGAE *1310* Virginia Narrative In Virginia Piedmont, they consume arachnids, minute crustaceans and insects, particularly water boatman. In Lake Drummond, they take microcrustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fishes and algae *4205*. In southeast Missouri, they took zooplankton at the low point during spring and early summer, while isopods were heavily utilized in January and April. Insect consumption was high in the spring and early summer *6193*.
Comments on Adult Food Habits
In southeast Missouri, fliers 22-170 mm long concentrated on cladocerans, copepods and insects. Those fish 170 mm ate primarily insects, but also fed on fish and crustaceans *6193*. Distinct changes in diet occurred at 22 and 170 mm *6193*.
Comments on Juvenile Food Habits
In southeastern Missouri, fliers 22 mm fed exclusively on copepods and cladocerans, with ostracods important to the young-of-year along with insects *6193*. 9999S - SMALL CRUSTACEANS CONTNUE TO COMPRISE THE BULK OF THE DIET OF FLIERS UP TO 7 INCHES, BUT INSECTS ARE OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE *1187*
Comments on Larval Food Habits
6630S - THE SMALLEST FINGERLINGS EAT ENTOMOSTRACA *1187*; THOSE LESS THAN AN INCH LONG FEED EXCLUSIVELY ON COPEPOD CRUSTACEANS *1187*
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| General | TN5174, 4205, 1178, 1196, 1310 |
| Adult | 6193, 1187 |
| Juvenile | 6193, 1187 |
| Larval | 1187 |
| Lifestage | Environmental Association |
| Feeding Larva | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Feeding Larva | Gradient: Low |
| Feeding Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Feeding Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Feeding Larva | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Resting Larva | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Resting Larva | Gradient: Low |
| Resting Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Resting Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Larva | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Resting Larva | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Feeding Juvenile | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Feeding Juvenile | Gradient: Low |
| Feeding Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Feeding Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Feeding Juvenile | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Resting Juvenile | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Resting Juvenile | Gradient: Low |
| Resting Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Resting Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Juvenile | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Resting Juvenile | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Breeding Adult | Turbidity: Specified in Comments |
| Breeding Adult | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Breeding Adult | Gradient: Low |
| Breeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Breeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Breeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Breeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Breeding Adult | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Feeding Adult | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Feeding Adult | Gradient: Low |
| Feeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Feeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Feeding Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Feeding Adult | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Feeding Adult | Inland Wetlands: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Adult | Density of Aquatic Vegetation: Specified in comments |
| Resting Adult | Gradient: Low |
| Resting Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Less than 0.5 fps |
| Resting Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: Specified in Comments |
| Resting Adult | Water Velocity [Instream Flow Group Increments]: 1.0-1.5 fps |
| Resting Adult | Water Level: Permanently flooded areas |
| Resting Adult | Inland Wetlands: Specified in Comments |
Comments on General Environmental Associations
00170S - SLUGGISH LOWLAND WATERS *816*; 00220S - HAS BEEN REPORTED AT 4.1 PPT SALINITY IN LOUISIANA AND 1.8 PPT IN FLORIDA *1178*; 00050S - GROWTH SEEMED TO BE SLOWER IN TURBID WATERS *1178*; 00030S - WITHSTAND LOW DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS *1178*; 00440S - SWAMPS *1641*; 00220S - MAXIMUM SALINITY 7 PPT *1641*; 00160S - PREFERED HABITAT HAS NO NOTICABLE CURRENT *1187*
Comments on Limiting Environmental Associations
0
| References/Lifestage | Reference Numbers |
| General | 816, 1178, 789, 1641, 1187 |
| Breeding Adult | 1187, 6193 |
| Feeding Adult | 1187, 6193, 1386 |
| Resting Adult | 1187, 6193, 1386 |
| Feeding Juvenile | 1187, 6193 |
| Resting Juvenile | 1187, 6193 |
| Feeding Larvae | 1187, 6193 |
| Resting Larvae | 1187, 6193 |
Physical description: This is a pallid, very compressed, medium-size sunfish with the adults usually from 70-190 mm TL. The body is extremely compressed and the snout is slightly upturned with the mouth of moderate size, oblique and slightly superior. The eye is large, the caudal fin is emarginate and the pectoral is long and pointed. There are (36)37-41(42) lateral line scales with 6-7 scales above the lateral line and (11)13-14(15) scales below the lateral line. There are 12 dorsal spines, (12)13-14 dorsal rays, 7-8 anal spines and (14)15-16(17) anal rays. There are (11)13-14 pectoral rays. In preservative, the head and body grade from dark or dusky dorsally to slightly dusky or pale ventrally. The side has numerous dark spots arranged in interrupted linear series, and with faint dusky streaks interconnecting spots. The cheek has a suborbital dark bar or blotch and the opercular spot is small and dark. The median fins are uniformly dusky with many pale spots and and basal pale streaks. The soft dorsal, caudal and anal sometimes have a narrow dark margin, the pelvic is pale and dusky and the pectoral is pale *4205*. Reproduction: In Missouri, they spawn during a short period between March and May when the water is ca 17 degrees C or lower *4205*. They breed in stagnant to free-flowing water *6193*. The number of eggs per female ranges from 1900-37,500 total eggs. They reach sexual maturity at approximately Age 2 *4205*. Behavior: In Piedmont streams, this species took arachnids, minute crustaceans and insects, particularly water boatman. In Lake Drummond they ate microcrustaceans, aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fishes and algae *4205*. Origin: This species is native in Virginia from the Rappahannock southward *4205*. Population parameters: There is an equal sex ratio at birth, followed by a heavy preponderance of females *6193*. The females grow larger and faster, and live longer than the males *6193*. They may live up to 8 years *4205*. Annulus forms once a year from January to May, and there is no growth in the winter *6193*. In Missouri, they attain a length of about 2.2 by the end of the first year and average 3.9, 5.2, 6.2, 7.1, 7.6, and 7.8 in the succeeding years *6193*. TENNESSEE NARRATIVE ORIGIN: NATIVE *816*; PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: ADULT SIZE 70-190 MM TL *816*; NUMBER OF CHROMOSOMES 48 *1178*; HEAD LENGTH CONTAINED ABOUT 3 TIMES, BODY DEPTH 2 TIMES IN SL; DORSAL FIN XI TO XIII, 12-14; ANAL FIN VII OR VIII, 14-15; LATERAL LINE COMPLETE, WITH ABOUT 40 SCALES; TOTAL LENGTH COMMONLY TO 4 OR 5 INCHES, RARELY 7 INCHES; BODY SHORT, DEEP, COMPRESSED, SUB-CIRCULAR; PROFILE INFLECTED AT NAPE; HEAD SMALL WITH POINTED SNOUT; OPERCULAR FLAP WIDE AND THIN; PAIRED FINS POINTED ORIGIN OF DORSAL FIN SLIGHTLY BEHIND PECTORAL ORIGIN; GREEN ABOVE, PALER BELOW, THE SIDE WITH ABOUT 12-14 LONGITUDAL STRIPES FORMED OF SMALL, DARK SPOTS, EACH SPOT OCCUPYING PART OF ONE SCALE *789*; REPRODUCTION: BREEDING USUALLY OCCURS IN MARCH TO MAY (17 DEGREES); BUT REPORTED AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY *816*; AGE AT MATURITY = 2 YRS, MINIMUM OF 80 MM *1641*; MATURE SEXUALLY AT 75-110 MM, SIZE IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN AGE IN ATTAINING MATURITY; NUMBER OF EGGS PER FEMALE RANGED FROM 4000-63000 *1178*; NESTS ARE USUALLY CLOSE TOGETHER IN COLONIES *1178,816,1187*; NESTS ARE USUALLY BUILT NEAR A STUMP, CLUMP OF VEGETATION OR OTHER COVER AND ARE NOT ON CLEAN SAND; THEY MAY BE AT DEPTHS OF 5 CM TO 1.5 M; NESTS ARE USUALLY SEPARATED BUT MAY BE CLUMPED WHEN SITES ARE LIMITED; NESTING MAY BE NECESSARY FOR RIPENING OF TESTES, AS ONLY AGGRESSIVE MALES WHICH ESTABLISHED TERRITORIES RIPENED IN TANKS WHERE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF NESTS COULD BE BUILT *2176*; MANY FISH EAT THE FRY; SURVIVAL OF LATE BROODS IS FREQUENTLY HIGHER THAN EARLY BROODS BECAUSE OF DENSER VEGETATION AND LESS DANGER OF WATER TEMPERATURE DROPS; EGGS HATCHED IN 44-53 HOURS AT 25.5 DEGREES C AND 33-36 HOURS AT 25-26.4 C DEGREES *1178*; SEX RECOGNITION BY THE MALE IS BASED ON DIFFERENTIAL BEHAVIOR OF THE FEMALE READY TO SPAWN; AT THE END OF THE BREEDING SEASON FEMALES WHO HAVE NOT SPAWNED REABSORB THEIR EGGS; THE FEMALE RECLINES TO ONE SIDE FOR SPAWNING; THE TWO FISH LIE SIDE BY SIDE IN THE NEST; ONLY A FEW EGGS ARE EXTRUDED AT A TIME, AND AT EACH PERIOD MILT IS EXTRUDED BY THE MALE; AFTER A HOUR OR MORE THE FEMALE LEAVES THE NEST; THE MALE CARES FOR THE EGGS AND FANS THEM; AFTER A FEW DAYS THE EGGS ARE HATCHED; THE FRY GRADUALLY RISE OUT OF THE NEST AND THE MALE LEAVES *2176*; BEHAVIOR: FEED LARGELY BY SIGHT *1178*; ADULTS SCHOOL IN WINTER *1178* POPULATION PARAMETERS: ANNUAL MORTALITY OF ADULTS AT SPEAR LAKE, INDIANA WAS ESTIMATED AT 60% *1178*; FEMALES LIVE LONGER AND ATTAIN A LARGER SIZE THAN MALES *1187*
| Life History |
References for Life History Codes
1187, 6193, 4205, 816, 2176, 1641
Comments on Life History Codes
| Result | Management Action | ||
| Beneficial | Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical] | ||
| Adverse | Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes | ||
| Adverse | Construction of navigational improvements [dams, locks, etc.] | ||
| Adverse | Dredging | ||
| Adverse | Channelization | ||
| Adverse | Other management practices [specified in comments] |
| References/Result | Reference Numbers |
| Adverse | 1187, 6193 |
| Beneficial | 1187, 6193 |
Comments on Management Practices
EXISTING: 999(A) - IT IS LIKELY THAT THE FLIER WAS MUCH MORE COMMON BEFORE LOWLAND SWAMPS WERE DITCHED AND DRAINED *1187*
782* Bailey, R.M., Fitch, J.E., Herald, E.S., Lachner, E.A., Linsey, C.C., Robins, C.R. 1970. A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada. Special Publ. No. 6. Am. Fish. Soc., Washington, D.C:150. 789* Clay, W.M. 1975. The Fishes of Kentucky. 12. Ken. Dept. Fish and Wildl., Frankfort:416. 816* 1980. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. Lee, D.S., Gilbert, C.R., Hocutt, C.H., McAllister, R.E., Stauffer, J.R., Jr. (eds.). Pub. 1980-12 of N. Car. Biol. Surv, N. C. State Mus. of Nat. Hist., Raleigh:854. 1178* Carlander, K.D. 1977. Handbook of Freshwater Fishery Biology. 2. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames:431. 1187* Pflieger, W.L. 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. Conserv.,:173. 1196* Flemer, D.A., Woolcott, W.S. 1966. Food habits and distribution of the fishes of Tuckahoe Creek, Virginia, with special emphasis on the bluegill, Lepomis m. macrochirus Rafinesque. Chesapeake Sci. 7.:75-89. 1302* Norman, J. R. 1975. A history of fishes. Ernest Benn Ltd., London:467. 1310* Smith, P. W. 1979. The fishes of Illinois. Univ. Ill. Press, Urbana. 1386* Pflieger, W.L. 1971. A distributional study of Missouri fishes.. 1641* Hardy, J.D., Jr. 1978. Development of fishes of the mid-Atlantic bight. vol. III. Aphredoderidae through rachycentridae. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Washington, D.C:394. 2176* Breder, C.M., Jr. 1936. The reproductive habits of the North American sunfishes (family Centrarchidae). Zoologica 21.:1-48. 4205* Jenkins, R.E. 1984. Fishes of Virginia (tentative).. 4451* 1983. Wildlife Code of MO. MO Dept. of Conservation.:112. 5376* Pflieger, W.L.. Unpb.. 6193* Conley, J.M. 1966. Ecology of the flier, Centrarchus macropterus (Lacepede) in southeast Missouri. UNPB., Univ. MO.:119. TN5002* Eagar, D. and R.H. Hatcher, editors. 1980. Tennessee's rare wildlife Volume I: the vertebrates. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, TN. TN5052* Ramsey, J.S., and R.D. Suttkus, 1965. Etheostoma ditrema, a new darter of the subgenus Oligocephalus (Percidae ) from Springs of the Alabama River Basin in Alabama and Georgia. Tulane Stud. Zool. 12:65-77. TN5057* Etnier, D.A. unpublished. Fishes of Tennessee. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. TN5058* Clay, W.M., 1975. The Fishes of Kentucky. Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY. 416p. TN5071* Pflieger, W.L., 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Missiour Dept. of Conserv., Jefferson City, MO. 343p. TN5072* Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.A. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (editors). 1980 et seq. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. N.C. State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC. TN5168* Tennessee State Code TN5174* Smith, P.W. 1979. The fishes of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Chicago, IL 314p. TN5182* Hoffman, G.L. 1967. Parasites of North American freshwater fishes. Univ. of California Press, Los Angeles. 486p.