The black crappie (pronounced croppy), Promoxis nigromaculatus, is a popular freshwater angling fish from the family Centrarchidae (sunfish), native to a central eastern strip of North America between the Appalachians and Minnesota, as far north as Ontario and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Its current range now extends throughout the lower 48 states and Canada, and into Mexico and Panama, as it has been widely introduced for sport-fishing purposes. Morphologically very similar to its close relative the white crappie (P. ammularis), with which it shares a range, these two species can be distinguished by their numbers of dorsal spines; black crappies have 7 or 8 whereas white crappies have 5 or 6. Hardy nocturnal carnivores, black crappies live in many types of waterways (ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers, consistently preferring clearer waters than does the black crappie), eating mostly other fishes and invertebrates. Like other sunfish crappies travel in schools, and build mounded nests on the bottoms of meter-deep shoals, often together in large colonies. Both species of crappies have a high reproductive rate, are fast growing and mature within 2-3 years so are often very abundant and regularly overpopulate their environment. Reaching a common size of 7-8 inches, black crappies are a “good fighting fish” that can be caught at all times of the year (and are commonly ice-fished). Its flakey white flesh gives it the distinction of being one of the top “pan fish.”

(Adams 2000; Bridges; Hammerson 2009; Hammerson 2009; Texas Parks and Wildlife; Wikipedia 2012(a); Wikipedia 2012(b))

Inhabits lakes, ponds, sloughs, and backwaters and pools of streams (Ref. 1998, 10294). Usually occurs among vegetation over mud or sand, most common in clear water. Forms schools (Ref. 1998). Feeds early in the morning, from midnight to 2 am (Ref. 1998). Individuals up to 16 cm feed on planktonic crustaceans and free-swimming, nocturnal, and dipterous larvae; larger individuals feed on small fishes (Ref. 1998, 10294). May be preyed upon by other fishes (Ref. 1998).

The native range of Pomoxis nigromaculatus is the freshwaters of central and eastern North America. It has further been introduced to freshwater lakes of the Pacific coast and Canada due to its popularity as a sport-fish and its durability. (Mettee et al. 1996, Sigler et al. 1987)

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced , Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Native to most of eastern U.S. (west to Texas) and adjacent southern Canada, north to St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba, but apparently not native to northern half of Atlantic slope (north of Virginia). Widely introduced elsewhere in North America. Common in lowlands, rare in uplands.

North America: widely introduced throughout USA that native range is difficult to determine; presumably Atlantic Slope from Virginia to Florida, Gulf Slope west to Texas in the USA, St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba in Canada south to Gulf of Mexico.

Black crappie adults vary from 130-381 mm in length. The average weight varies from 0.25-0.90 kg. Black crappie are a monomorphic species characterized by 7-8 dorsal spines which are stepped in length, an upturned (S-shaped) snout, symmetrical dorsal and anal fins, a wavy light and dark pattern on non-paired fins, and a mottled (spotty) color pattern.

There are color variances among populations of black crappie. Age, habitat, and breeding are all determinants of the intensity and patterns of mottling: juveniles tend to have less pigment and pattern than adults; those black crappie living in clear, vegetated water have strikingly bolder patterns than those living in turbid, murky water; and breeding males have a darker head and breast than normal populations. (Jenkins et al. 1994, Sigler et al. 1987, Trautman 1981, Becker 1983, Smith 1979, Robison et al. 1988, Mettee et al. 1996)

Range mass: 250 to 900 g.

Average mass: 0.57 g.

Length: 42 cm

Maximum size: 490 mm TL

49.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)); max. published weight: 2,720 g (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 15 years (Ref. 46974)

Pomoxis nigromaculatus favors clear, warm, highly vegetated, moderately acidic, and non-turbid waters of lakes and rivers in its natural range. (Sigler et al. 1987)

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams

Depth range based on 6 specimens in 2 taxa.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.2 - 4

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.2 - 4
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Habitat Type: Freshwater

Comments: Most abundant in large, warm, clear lakes and reservoirs and clear river backwaters; usually associated with large beds of aquatic plants and sandy to mucky bottoms. Usually in localized schools near submerged objects during day. Eggs are laid in a nest made by the male in bottoms ranging from mud to gravel, usually in water less than 1 m deep near or in beds of aquatic plants.

benthopelagic; freshwater

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

As a juvenile, Pomoxis nigromaculatus feeds mainly on microscopic prey such as Cyclops, Cladocera, and Daphnia.

As an adult, Pomoxis nigromaculatus is a mid-water omnivore that feeds in vegetation and open water. Its numerous gill rakers allow it to consume planktonic crustaceans; however aquatic insects, minnows, and fingerlings of other species comprise its main diet. Dawn, noon, dusk, and midnight are peak times for black crappie feeding.

Much of the success of the black crappie is attributed to its ability to eat foods of all forms, at all times of the year. (Becker 1983)

Inhabits lakes, ponds, sloughs, and backwaters and pools of streams. Usually occurs among vegetation over mud or sand, most common in clear water. Forms schools (Ref. 1998). Feeds early in the morning, from midnight to 2 am (Ref. 1998). Individuals up to 16 cm feed on planktonic crustaceans and free-swimming, nocturnal, and dipterous larvae; larger individuals feed on small fishes (Ref. 1998). May be preyed upon by other fishes (Ref. 1998).

Comments: Primarily a midwater feeder; zooplankton and small Diptera larvae predominate in the diet of individuals to 12 cm SL, while fishes and aquatic insects predominate in the diet of larger individuals (Moyle 1976).

Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie juv.) is prey of:
Perca flavescens
Micropterus salmoides
Ambloplites rupestris
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Diacyclops thomasi
Mesocyclops edax
Hirundinidae

Based on studies in:
USA: Wisconsin, Little Rock Lake (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie juv.) preys on:
Scapholeberis kingi
Ophryoxus gracilis
Clinotanypus
Diaptomus minutus
Diacyclops thomasi
Mesocyclops edax
Tropocyclops prasinus
Epischura lacustris
Bosmina longirostris
Eubosmina
Daphnia galeata mendotae
Daphnia parvula
Diaphanosoma birgei
Holopedium gibberum
Leptodora kindtii
Polyphemus pediculus
Conochilus unicornis
Conochiloides
Kellicottia longispina
Kellicottia bostoniensis
Keratella cochlearis
Keratella taurocephala
Keratella crassa
Keratella hiemalis
Polyarthra remata
Polyarthra vulgaris
Trichocerca cylindrica
Asplanchna
Gastropus
Synchaeta
Copepoda
Monogonanta
Alona affinis
Alona quadrangularis
Alona rustica
Alona intermedia
Alona excisa
Disparalona acutirostris
Chydorus
Acantholeberis curvirostris
Acanthocyclops
Microcyclops rubellus
Eucopepoda
Molanna
Polycentropus
Climacia
Djalmabatista
Guttipelopia
Larsia
Macropelopis
Procladius
Chaetocladius
Corynoneura
Cricotopus
Nanocladius
Micropsectra
Paratanytarsus
Tanytarsus
Chironomus
Cladopelma
Cryptochironomus
Endochrionomus
Glyptotendipes
Microtendipes
Parachironomus
Paratendipes
Polypedilum
Pseudochironomus
Stenochironomus
Stictochironomus
Xenochironomus
Oligochaeta
Perca flavescens
Micropterus salmoides
Ambloplites rupestris
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Notemigonus crysoleucus
Actinopterygii
Sida crystallina
Macrocyclops albidus
Leptophlebia
Caenis
Oecetis
Mystacides
Vellidae
Notonectidae
Sialis
Eoparagyractis
Bezzia
Sphaeromais
Chaoborus punctipennis
Albabesmyia
Campeloma decisum
Sphaeriidae
Hirundinidae
Crangonyx gracilis
Enallagma
Eucyclops serrulatus

Based on studies in:
USA: Wisconsin, Little Rock Lake (Lake or pond)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Travels in schools (Becker 1983).

Comments: Active in winter (Becker 1983).

Nest are built by the male, by clearing an area on the sand, mud or gravel bottom. Females probably spawn with different males in more than one nest. The male guards the eggs and young.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 10.0 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 12.0 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 13.0 years.

Both sexes of Pomoxis nigromaculatus reach their sexual maturity by the age of two and usually live seven years. The spawning temperatures and months vary due to the wide natural range of black crappie, but the temperatures are usually from 58° to 68° Fahrenheit, corresponding to the months of April through June.

Before the spawning period, black crappie form schools that migrate to shallower water to feed. It is during schooling when the male crappie sweeps out the nests and attracts the female. The female black crappie is very fertile. She may spawn several times during the period with several males, bearing 10,000-200,000 eggs (variation related to size and age of female). Once the eggs are in the nest, it is the male's responsibility to guard the nest until the young can freely swim and feed. (Jenkins et al. 1994, Sigler et al.1987, Becker 1983, Robison et al. 1988, Mettee et al. 1996)

Spawns in spring and summer; eggs hatch in about 2-5 days; male guards eggs and hatchlings; sexually mature in 2nd or 3rd year; nests in loose colonies (Moyle 1976, Becker 1983, Scott and Crossman 1973).

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 12 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 12
Species: 17
Species With Barcodes: 1

Pomoxis nigromaculatus is not among those species in the endangered species list; however, to avoid over-fishing, daily limits are used.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N4 - Apparently Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Not Evaluated

Since black crappie are omnivorous, they eat the fingerlings of many other fish, including those of its predators: pike, walleye, muskellunge, etc. If there are no predators for smaller fish such as sunfish, perch, and black crappie, the lake will become over populated. This tendency for black crappie to overpopulate its community, not only stunts its species' population growth, but also those of other species due to an increase in competition. (Becker 1983)

Pomoxis nigromaculatus is a popular sport fish: the flesh is white and flaky; due to its wide variety of prey, fisherman are able to use many methods to catch them; they can be caught at all times of the year, which especially benefits fishermen who enjoy ice-fishing; high populations allow for many to be caught; and their aggressiveness allows for a good fight. (Sigler et al. 1987, Becker 1983)

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums