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Black Crappie
Black Crappie,  Pomoxis nigromaculatus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Very compressed body
�	Upturned nose and mouth
�	Rounded pectoral fin
�	Slightly notched tail fin
�	Anal and dorsal fins nearly the same length
�	Large eye
�	Speckled body
�	Dorsal, anal, and tail fins black with white spots
�	Length of dorsal fin base equal to distance from first dorsal spine to eye
�	Head and side of body silver with dark marks

Similar species: 
�	White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) 

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 100-400 mm total length 

Habitat:
�	Swamps, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and slack water in rivers
�	Found in vegetation and structure

Distribution in VA:
�	James drainage
�	Introduced to all other drainages in Virginia

Food Habits:  
�	Insects, fish, and crustaceans

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature by age 2
�	Spawning occurs around April at 15-20�C
�	Nests dug out around vegetation close to other nests
�	Fecundity is 11,000-188,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	One of the most popular pan fishes in Virginia  

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

VAFWIS
Banded Sunfish
Banded Sunfish
Black Crappie
Black Crappie
Black Crappie
Black Crappie
Blackbanded Sunfish
Blackbanded Sunfish
Bluegill
Bluegill
Bluespotted Sunfish
Bluespotted Sunfish
Flier
Flier
Mud Sunfish
Mud Sunfish
Roanoke Bass
Roanoke Bass
Rock Bass
Rock Bass
Warmouth
Warmouth
Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
Hybrid: Redbreast Sunfish
Hybrid: Redbreast Sunfish
Longear Sunfish
Longear Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Spotted Bass
Continue Browsing Families.....
  1. Petromyzontidae, Lampreys
  2. Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
  3. Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
  4. Lepisosteidae, Gars
  5. Amiidae, Bowfins
  6. Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
  7. Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
  8. Ictaluridae, Catfish
  9. Percopsidae, Trout-Perches
  10. Salmonidae, Trouts
  11. Clupeidae, Herrings
  12. Esocidae, Pikes
  13. Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
  14. Umbridae, Mudminnows
  15. Fundulidae, Killifishes
  16. Poeciliidae, Livebearers
  17. Cyprinidae, Minnows
  18. Catostomidae, Suckers
  19. Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
  20. Atherinidae, Silversides
  21. Cottidae, Sculpins
  22. Sciaenidae, Drums
  23. Percidae, Perches
  24. Moronidae, Striped Basses
  25. Centrarchidae, Sunfishes

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