freshwater
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Compressed, deep body shape with a strongly arched back. Silvery-olive to yellowish-white background overlaid with numerous dark green to black spots and blotches arranged somewhat in irregular vertical bands. Typically possesses 7 or 8 dorsal spines, distinguishing it from the white crappie which usually has 6.
- Habitat
- Warm, clear, and quiet freshwater habitats such as lakes…
- Size & weight
- Typically ranges from 8 to 12 inches in length and weigh…
- Diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on small fish, crustaceans such as…
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Physical characteristics
Compressed, deep body shape with a strongly arched back. Silvery-olive to yellowish-white background overlaid with numerous dark green to black spots and blotches arranged somewhat in irregular vertical bands. Typically possesses 7 or 8 dorsal spines, distinguishing it from the white crappie which usually has 6.
Habitat & distribution
Warm, clear, and quiet freshwater habitats such as lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. They heavily favor areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, submerged brush, logs, and stumps.
Behavior
Highly social fish that tend to form loose schools, especially around submerged structures. They are most active during dawn and dusk (crepuscular) and remain relatively inactive near cover during bright daylight.
Diet
Carnivorous, feeding on small fish, crustaceans such as amphipods and cladocerans, and aquatic insects. They are primarily visual predators, feeding actively during low-light conditions.
Reproduction
Spawns in the spring when water temperatures reach about 56 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Males construct saucer-shaped nests in shallow water, often guarding the eggs and newly hatched fry until they disperse.
Ecological role
Acts as an intermediate predator in aquatic food webs, consuming small aquatic insects and zooplankton while serving as an important food source for larger predatory fish like largemouth bass and northern pike.
Similar species
White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis), which is paler, has vertical bars instead of random dark spots, and usually has 6 dorsal spines rather than 7 or 8.
Identification tips
Look for the compressed, deep body profile, the silvery body heavily speckled with dark spots, and count the dorsal spines (7-8) to separate it from the white crappie.
Interesting facts
Black crappies are capable of changing their coloration slightly to match their background environment and can live up to 10 to 15 years in the wild.