[5][page needed] A population introduced to the Loire River in France between 1904 and 1910 is successfully self-sustaining, but not invasively expanding, more than 100 years later.

Identifying characteristics of rock bass are their two dorsal fins that have spinous and soft-rayed united portions, a large mouth, six anal spines, red eyes; rows of dark dots on their sides.

[4] The mouth of a rock bass is located in the terminal position, below the snout, with small conical teeth to eat prey.

It is carnivorous, and its diet consists of smaller fish, including their own young at times, yellow perch, and minnows, as well as insects, and crustaceans.

Based on their population stability, rock bass do not require any special monitoring or conservation management plans.

Spawning occurs from April to early June in warm waters ranging 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), with females laying from 2,000 to 11,000 eggs.

Rock bass lack courtship displays, so the female enters the nest and joins the male in his circular behavior.

[citation needed] Rock bass are considered game fish throughout much of their range, the IGFA all-tackle world record for the species is a tie between 1.36 kg (3 lb 0 oz) fish caught in York River, Ontario, Canada, and Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, US, in 1974 and 1998 respectively.

Rafinesque originally assigned the rock bass to Bodianus, a genus of marine wrasses (family Labridae).