一株湖北源大口黑鲈蛙病毒的分离鉴定

采用电子显微镜观察和细胞培养等技术, 从湖北黄陂某养殖场患病大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)体内发现并分离到一株蛙病毒。患病大口黑鲈的临床症状主要表现为体表出血、溃疡, 肝脏发白。将病鱼内脏组织匀浆超微滤液接种鳜脑细胞系(mandarin fish brain, MFB)细胞能产生典型细胞病变效应(cytopathic effect, CPE), 病毒滴度达到 10^8.36±0.15 TCID₅₀/mL。细胞培养病毒的超薄切片电镜观察结果显示, 细胞质中存在大量直径约为 150 nm 左右的正六边形病毒粒子, 呈晶格排列。细胞培养病毒的人工感染大口黑鲈试验结果显示, 7 d 内试验鱼死亡率高达 100%, 其临床症状与自然发病鱼相似。采用大口黑鲈病毒(largemouth bass virus, LMBV)的特异性 PCR 检测方法对患病鲈组织样品和细胞培养病毒样品进行检测, 均能扩增出 241 bp 的单一目的条带。进一步根据 GenBank 中 LMBV 主衣壳蛋白(major capsid protein, MCP)基因序列设计特异性引物, 均能从上述样品中扩增出 1392 bp 的 MCP 基因开放阅读框(open reading frame, ORF)全长。将 MCP 氨基酸全序列进行比对, 结果显示其与 Santee-Cooper 蛙病毒、孔雀鱼病毒 6 型及大口黑鲈溃疡综合征病毒的 MCP 氨基酸序列同源性高达 100%。系统进化结果显示, 与感染鱼类的虹彩病毒科蛙病毒属病毒, 如鳜鱼蛙病毒、Santee-Cooper 蛙病毒、孔雀鱼病毒 6 型和大口黑鲈溃疡综合征病毒等聚成一支。这些结果证明, 该分离株为虹彩病毒科蛙病毒属的成员, 暂命名为大口黑鲈蛙病毒(largemouth bass ranavirus, LMBRaV)湖北株 LMBRaV-HB001。病毒敏感细胞系筛选试验结果表明, 病毒 LMBRaV-HB001 感染鲤上皮瘤细胞(epithelioma papulosum cyprinid, EPC)、草鱼性腺细胞(grass carp ovary, GCO)、大鲵肌肉细胞(giant salamander muscle, GSM)和鲫脑组织细胞(gibel carp brain, GiCB)均能产生典型 CPE, 病毒滴度可达 10^8.0 TCID₅₀/mL 以上。本研究首次在湖北省养殖大口黑鲈体内分离与鉴定了 LMBRaV 病毒, 建立了病毒的细胞培养方法, 为进一步研究该病毒的传播、诊断和防控技术提供了重要参考。     

Experimental oral transmission of largemouth bass virus

Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) is a recently discovered iridovirus that causes a fatal disease of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède). Fish can become infected by waterborne LMBV, but oral transmission of this virus has not been demonstrated previously. Largemouth bass were gavaged with guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters, which had been injected with LMBV, and then sampled periodically during a 7‐week observation period. The dose of LMBV averaged 10^5.6 tissue culture infectious doses – 50% cytopathic endpoint (TCID₅₀) per largemouth bass. Five of 24 largemouth bass exposed to LMBV became infected with the virus, but none of the fish had clinical signs typical of LMBV disease. Virus titres in largemouth bass were highest in swim bladder (10^5.5–9.5 TCID₅₀ g^?1) and were 10^5.2 TCID₅₀ g^?1 or lower in cutaneous mucus, head kidney, trunk kidney, spleen, gonad and intestine. These results indicate that LMBV can be transmitted orally to largemouth bass, but further study is needed to determine the factors affecting pathogenicity of the virus.     

Isolation and identification of a viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) isolate from wild largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in China

Fish rhabdoviruses are a family of viruses responsible for large‐scale fish die‐offs worldwide. Here, we reported the isolation and identification of a member of rhabdoviruses from wild largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in the coastal area of the Pearl River Estuary, China. This virus isolate was identified as viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) by specific RT‐PCR. Furthermore, the virus (VHSVLB2018) was isolated by cell culture using fathead minnow cells and confirmed by RT‐PCR. Electron microscopy showed the presence of bullet‐shaped viral particles in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The complete sequencing of VHSVLB2018 confirmed that it was genome configuration typical of rhabdoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole‐genome sequences and G gene nucleotides sequences revealed that VHSVLB2018 was assigned to VHSV genogroup Ⅳa. The pathogenicity of VHSVLB2018 was determined in infection experiments using specific pathogen‐free largemouth bass juveniles. VHSVLB2018‐infected fish showed typical clinical signs of VHSV disease, including darkened skin, petechial haemorrhages and pale enlarged livers, with the cumulative mortalities reached 63.3%–93.3% by 7 days post‐infection. VHSVLB2018 was re‐isolated from dead fish and confirmed by RT‐PCR. Together, this is the first report of isolation and identification of a VHSV isolate from wild largemouth bass in China.     

The prevalence of mycobacterial infections in striped bass in Chesapeake Bay

Several species of bacteria have been isolated from diseased striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), in Chesapeake Bay. Mycobacteria species are of particular interest because of their association with chronic lesions in both fish and humans. The resulting disease in fish may be characterised by emaciation, inflammation of the skin, exophthalmia (pop‐eye), ascites (dropsy), open lesions, and ulceration. The prevalence of mycobacterial infection in 217 striped bass in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay was determined to provide evidence of decreased overall condition of fish affected by these bacteria. The density of the granulomas was higher in the spleen and head kidney than either the heart or liver, and appeared to be most closely associated with the presence of an external lesion. Thirty‐eight per cent of the fish showed some sign of an external lesion. Granulomas appeared in at least one organ in 53% of the fish sampled regardless of the presence or absence of an external skin lesion. Condition factor was significantly higher for striped bass without external lesions (0.96) than those with lesions (0.82). Striped bass with no internal granulomas and no external lesion had the highest condition factor (0.99) and fish with granulomas and external lesions the lowest (0.81). Slopes of the regression log_e weight (g) and log_e length (mm) for striped bass with external lesions was significantly higher than those fish without external lesions and had a lower r². The results suggest that striped bass that are infected with mycobacteria have decreased overall health.     

Isolation and characterization of a ranavirus from koi,Cyprinus carpio L., experiencing mass mortalities in India

We investigated mass mortalities of koi, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758, experienced in South Indian fish farms by virus isolation, electron microscopy, PCR detection, sequencing of capsid protein gene and transmission studies. Samples of moribund koi brought to the laboratory suffered continuous mortality exhibiting swimming abnormalities, intermittent surfacing and skin darkening. Irido-like virus was isolated from the infected fish in the indigenous snakehead kidney cell line (SNKD2a). Icosahedral virus particles of 100 to 120 nm were observed in the infected cell cultures, budding from the cell membrane. Virus transmission and pathogenicity studies revealed that horizontal transmission occurred associated with mortality. PCR analysis of infected fish and cell cultures confirmed the presence of Ranavirus capsid protein sequences. Sequence analysis of the major capsid protein gene showed an identity of 99.9% to that of largemouth bass virus isolated from North America. Detection and successful isolation of this viral agent becomes the first record of isolation of a virus resembling Santee–Cooper Ranavirus from a koi and from India. We propose the name koi ranavirus to this agent.     

Comparison of the pathogenicity of Francisella orientalis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) through experimental intraperitoneal infection

Francisella orientalis is a highly virulent, emerging bacterium that causes mass mortalities in tilapia. This pathogen also affects numerous other warm-water fish species, including three-line grunt, hybrid striped bass and various ornamental fish. This study sheds light on two new species of fish that are susceptible to F. orientalis. Asian seabass and largemouth bass showed variable levels of susceptibility in a bacterial challenge experiment. After intraperitoneally injected with a dose of 10⁶ CFU/fish, a total of 64.28% and 21.42% mortalities were obtained in Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. Meanwhile, Nile tilapia showed acute mortality of 100%. All fish showed typical lesions of francisellosis, including multifocal granulomas in the spleen and head kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong positive signals inside the granulomas of all fish. The bacterial recovery in solid media from infected fish was highest in Nile tilapia (85.71%), followed by Asian seabass (35.71%) and largemouth bass (21.42%). PCR results tested 100% positive for Nile tilapia, and 78.57% and 21.42% for Asian seabass and largemouth bass, respectively. In conclusion, Asian seabass and largemouth bass are susceptible to this pathogen, which warrants new management strategies when employing predation polyculture systems of these species with tilapia.     

Environmental influences on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides populations in shallow Nebraska lakes

The influence of environmental variables on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède) populations in 22 shallow (mean depth 1.0–2.9 m) Nebraska lakes was evaluated. Largemouth bass exhibited density‐dependent size structure and growth, but not condition. Total annual mortality averaged only 30%. Deeper lakes contained low density largemouth bass populations with a high proportion of fish >380 mm, whereas larger lakes with little submerged vegetation had faster growth. The proportion of largemouth bass >380 mm and relative abundance tended to increase with emergent vegetation coverage. More stable recruitment was evident in shallower lakes with increased emergent vegetation coverage. Strong year classes were associated with cooler September air temperatures. Largemouth bass populations exhibited density‐dependent effects in lakes up to 332 ha. Lake depth, emergent vegetation and autumn air temperatures may influence largemouth bass populations more than previously suggested.     

Study on the pathogenicity of Nocardia asteroides to the Formosa snakehead, Channa maculata (Lacepède), and largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)

Abstract. The Formosa snakehead, Channa maculata (Lacepède), and the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède), were given an intraperitoneal (i.p.) and/or intramuscular (i.m.) inoculation of Nocardia asteroides isolated from cultured Formosa snakehead, Typical granulomatous lesions induced by the experimental fish were similar to the naturally infected cases. The Formosa snakehead showed 100% and 93% mortality at 14 and 35 days after i.m. inoculation with 8 mg and 0·8 mg of bacterial suspension, respectively. The largemouth bass was slightly resistant to N. asteroides but still had 95% mortality at 35 days after inoculation (i.m.) with 8 mg bacterial suspension. The bacteria were easily reisolated from spleen and kidney of the experimental fish. Many typical multifocal granulomata were found at the sites of injection and the internal organs such as liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, intestine, gills, eyes and brain. The result indicated that the N. asteroides isolated from the field ease was pathogenic to Formosa snakehead and largemouth bass.     

Leech (Myzobdella lugubris) infestations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Back Bay,Virginia, USA

Back Bay is an oligohaline, coastal bay in southeast Virginia, USA. Since 2004, leeches have been observed in the oral cavities of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in this body of water. Leeches (Myzobdella lugubris) have previously been documented in the oral cavities of largemouth bass in the Currituck Sound, which is confluent with Back Bay on its southern border. Supplemental stocking of largemouth bass in Back Bay since 2009 has resulted in an increasing population; however, concern exists that leech infestation may be negatively affecting health of larger fish, which are still less abundant than expected. Despite the wide distribution of this leech, there is little available literature regarding its health impacts on hosts. In this study, we examine potential impacts of oral leech infestations on stress markers and haematological parameters of largemouth bass in Back Bay. No significant changes in plasma glucose or cortisol were observed between leech‐infested and uninfested fish, and haematological parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Further, there was no evidence of systemic infections associated with leech infestation.     

Immunohistochemical diagnosis of tenacibaculosis in paraffin‐embedded tissues of Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858

A sensitive and specific immunohistochemical technique was developed to improve the diagnosis of tenacibaculosis and to better understand its pathogenesis. Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858 were inoculated subcutaneously with a bacterial suspension of Tenacibaculum maritimum, and samples were taken at different hours post‐inoculation. Sections from different organs were used as positive controls. In addition, a total of 128 field samples from different organs collected from tenacibaculosis outbreaks were used. Tenacibaculum maritimum antigens were detected in several organs of experimentally infected Senegalese sole and in at least one of the tissues from fish suffering from natural tenacibaculosis previously confirmed by culture and PCR‐based methods. In fish collected during outbreaks, a strong positive reaction was detected in ulcerative skin areas. Moreover, bacterial antigen was identified inside scale pockets and in sites of the skin with mild lesion. In kidney and spleen, evident immunostaining of bacterial antigen was detected in both naturally and experimentally infected fish. Besides, the presence of T. maritimum in the intestinal tract without associated histological changes suggests that this organ may act as a reservoir for T. maritimum. The results of this study confirm the usefulness of IHC for the diagnosis of tenacibaculosis in paraffin‐embedded tissues.     

Establishment and characterization of a liver cell line,ALL, derived from yellowfin sea bream,Acanthopagrus latus,and its application to fish virology

Yellowfin sea bream (Acanthopagrus latus) is an important economic fish, which is seriously threatened by various fish viruses. In this study, a cell line designated as ALL derived from the liver of yellowfin sea bream was developed and characterized. The cell line grew well in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10%–20% foetal bovine serum at 28°C. Amplification of the cytochrome B gene indicated that ALL cells originated from yellowfin sea bream. The modal chromosome number of ALL cells was 48. ALL cells were efficiently transfected with pEGFP-N3 plasmids, indicating the potential application of ALL cells in exogenous gene manipulation studies. ALL cells were susceptive to three main fish viruses, including viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV), red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) and largemouth bass virus (LMBV). The replication of VHSV, RGNNV and LMBV in ALL cells was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, virus titre and transmission electron microscopy assays. Moreover, ALL cells could respond to VHSV, RGNNV and LMBV infections, as indicated by the differential expression of antiviral genes involving in the innate immune response. In conclusion, the newly established ALL cell line will be an excellent in vitro platform for the study of the virus–yellowfin sea bream interaction.     

Lakeshore residential development and growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): a cross‐lakes comparison

Gaeta JW, Guarascio MJ, Sass GG, Carpenter SR. Lakeshore residential development and growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): a cross‐lakes comparison.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 92–101. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Lakeshore residential development is associated with changes in littoral habitat, riparian habitat, and ecosystem function with potential impacts ramifying through aquatic food webs. Effects of these changes on economically important game fishes may vary with fish size. We investigated largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) size‐specific growth rates across 16 lakes spanning the range of lakeshore residential development in Wisconsin’s Northern Highland Lake District using a longitudinal multilevel model. Growth rates of small fish had a strong positive relationship with lakeshore residential development. The strength of the relationship decreased with length and became increasingly negative for fish longer than 210 mm. This pattern may be driven by a release from density‐dependent growth, shifts in available prey sources, reduced macrophyte cover, or angling‐induced selection pressures. Regardless of the mechanism, our results indicate, relative to undeveloped lakes, largemouth bass in highly developed lakes take 1.5 growing seasons longer to enter the fishery (356 mm).     

Production performance of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and water quality variation in monoculture,polyculture and integrated culture

A 74‐day experiment was conducted to evaluate the production performance and water quality variation in three types of farming system for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. The tested aquaculture models included monoculture of largemouth bass (MC), polyculture of largemouth bass, gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (PC), and integrated culture of largemouth bass, gibel carp, silver carp and freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis cumingii (IC). The ratio of largemouth bass, gibel carp and silver carp was 30:2:1 in the PC model, and the ratio of largemouth bass, gibel carp, silver carp and mussel was 30:2:1:5 in the IC model. The largemouth bass were fed with formulated feed twice daily. No significant differences were found in weight gain and yield of largemouth bass, total fish yield, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) utilization efficiencies, N and P wastes, pH, nitrite, nitrate, reactive phosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll a, primary productivity among the MC, PC and IC models. The ammonia was lower, while the dissolved oxygen was higher in the PC tanks than in the MC tanks. These results suggest that the environment situation was better in the PC tanks relative to that in the MC tanks. The present study reveals that the PC model should be a way to optimize the aquaculture model for commercial largemouth bass farming.     

Effects of Different Feed Habituation Methods on Survival and Feed Habituation Success of Largemouth Bass,Micropterus salmoides,in a Recirculating Aquaculture System

Demand for food size and trophy largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, is steadily increasing. However, largemouth bass, a carnivorous species, are more difficult to feed habituate than other commercially produced fish. Improving current feed habituation techniques to increase the percentage of fingerlings successfully feed habituated would increase profits, productivity and efficiency, and available product in the largemouth bass industry. The focus of this research was to evaluate different combinations of automatic feeders and supplemental hand feeding to determine the feed habituation success under commercial largemouth bass production conditions. Hand feeding, using only automatic feeders, or combinations of both, did not result in significant differences with regard to survival or feed habituation success. Initial fingerling size (total length, TL) was found to be the most important factor affecting survival and feed habituation success. Fish ranging from 40 to 50 mm (TL) survived and feed habituated at significantly higher rates than 30–40 and 50–60 mm (TL) fingerlings. Medium‐sized fish provide the best results in terms of feed habituation success and survival. The results suggest any combination of hand feeding and automatic feeders may be used to achieve feed habituating success in largemouth bass.     

High dietary starch inclusion impairs growth and antioxidant status,and alters liver organization and intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

Five diets (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5) containing 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g starch per kg diet were formulated to investigate the effects of starch level on largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Fish (initial weight: 22.00 ± 0.02 g) were fed the five diets for 90 days. Results indicated that weight gain, specific growth rate and survival of fish fed higher dietary starch level (200 g/kg) were lower than those of fish fed the lower dietary starch levels (0–50 g/kg). Higher dietary starch levels (150–200 g/kg) have a negative effect on antioxidant ability (total superoxide dismutase: T‐SOD; malonyldialdehyde: MDA; total antioxidant capacity: T‐AOC; glutathione peroxidase: GSH‐Px) and liver health (cellular contents leaked, nucleus deformed, endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body disappeared) of largemouth bass. Lower dietary starch levels (0–50 g/kg) modified intestinal microbiota of largemouth bass represented by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial such as Bacilli, Lactobacillales and Bacteroidales. These results indicated that dietary starch level above 50 g/kg had a negative effect on growth performance and antioxidant status of largemouth bass. Moreover, high dietary starch levels are potentially associated with negative alterations in liver structure and function, and decrease of beneficial gut microbes.     

Effect of catch-and-release angling on growth of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

Catch‐and‐release angling is popular in many parts of the world and plays an increasingly important role in management of recreational fisheries. Although the magnitude of catch‐and‐release mortality is well documented for many species, potential sublethal effects have been little studied. An experiment was conducted to assess directly the effects of catch‐and‐release angling on growth of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacépède. Angling mortality was 0.00 ± 0.092% for largemouth bass caught on plastic grubs. There was no difference (P = 0.57) in weight gain between caught and uncaught fish over a 40‐day angling and recovery period. Although catch‐and‐release angling appears to have no effect on largemouth bass growth, previous studies documented sublethal effects on growth and reproduction in other species, suggesting that the occurrence and magnitude of sublethal effects vary among species.     

The importance of Lernaea cruciata (Le Sueur) in the initiation of skin lesions in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede), in the Chowan River, North Carolina, USA

Abstract. Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede), were collected from May to October from the Chowan River, North Carolina and examined for the presence of skin lesions. Over 55% of all largemouth bass greater than 100 mm in length had skin lesions. The largest fish (≥400 mm) had the greatest number of lesions (= 3.4 lesions per fish). When examined by wet mounts, small early lesions frequently (31% of all lesions) had the microscopic recently metamorphosed adult female stage of Lernaea cruciata . Older macroscopically visible adult females were only rarely seen (2% of all lesions). Examinations of wet mounts revealed no identifiable pathogen in 60% of all early lesions but histologically almost all lesions had a similar inflammatory response. Lesions were most common along the ventral surface of the body where 85% of all lesions were present. This was also the most common site of copepod infection, with 95% of all copepods present at this site. Bacterial numbers in early lesions were occasionally high and tended to increase in concentration in advanced lesions. No single organism was consistently identified as predominant in the majority of lesions. The possible relationship of these lesions to red-sore disease is discussed.     

Implications of piscine predator control on the federally listed fountain darter

One strategy for protecting the federally listed fountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola (Jordan & Gilbert), during low flow conditions is the removal of piscine carnivores [in this case, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)]. However, headwater spring communities of the Comal and San Marcos rivers include another potential predator [red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard)]. Removal of piscine carnivores could produce cascading effects by increasing crayfish consumption of benthic fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if piscine carnivore removal will lessen predatory pressure or induce a trophic cascade with crayfish increasing and causing declines in fountain darter. The numbers of fountain darter consumed were quantified among three predator treatments (red swamp crayfish only, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined) and vegetation treatments (vegetated and non‐vegetated) at three temperature regimes (18, 22, 27°C). Vegetation had no effect on fountain darter predation. Among temperature trials, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined consumed similar numbers of fountain darter, and red swamp crayfish only consumed the least numbers of fountain darter, except at 22°C. Largemouth bass did not consume more red swamp crayfish than fountain darter. Therefore, largemouth bass removal appears to be a viable option for reducing fountain darter predation during periods of low flow.     

New perspective to control of tenacibaculosis in sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L

This work was carried out to investigate the effects of injection of Tenacibaculum maritimum formalin‐killed cells (FKC), extracellular products (ECPs) and crude lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as 1% feed supplements of oil extracts of Echinacea purpurea and Origanum vulgare on sea bass immunity improvement to the favour of T. maritimum experimental infection control after 4 weeks of the experiment. Tenacibaculum maritimum isolated from naturally infected sea bass showed brown to yellowish‐brown lesions (sores) on gills, skin and/or fins and identified by different biochemical methods and polymerase chain reaction technique. Immune parameters namely, total protein, globulin and lysozyme activity, as well as the relative level of protection were improved by T. maritimum (FKC), (LPS), (ECPs), O. vulgare and E. purpurea, respectively compared with control. Histopathological examination of T. maritimum naturally infected sea bass indicated many pathological changes in gill, skin and musculatures. Present study could be concluded that application of T. maritimum (FKC), (LPS), (ECPs), O. vulgare or E. purpurea improved sea bass immunity to the favour of disease resistance against T. maritimum. Further investigations on the combination between the previous control methods and the vaccine application methods will be needed.     

Quantifying contributions to tournament catches among resident,stocked and hybrid black basses (Micropterus spp.)

Millions of Florida bass, Micropterus floridanus Lesueur, are stocked annually into populations of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacepède, to increase trophy fish abundance. However, little effort has related the role that resultant hybrids make to angler catches. Largemouth bass were sampled from an important recreational fishery subject to extensive Florida bass stocking to address the hypothesis that anglers capture Florida bass, largemouth bass and hybrids at rates equivalent to their overall abundance in the population. Fin clips obtained from tournament angling events (n = 348) and boat‐mounted electrofishing sampling (n = 219) were screened at 38 species‐diagnostic markers and individuals were assigned to genealogical classes using Bayesian clustering algorithms. No significant differences were identified between angler and electrofishing catches providing evidence that hybridised individuals stemming from a long‐term stocking programme may constitute an important contribution to tournament angling catch.