Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 2394526

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Also known as Calico Bass, Speckled Perch, Strawberry Bass, Sac-a-Lait

Black crappie are deep-bodied, laterally compressed sunfish decorated with an irregular mosaic of dark speckles across a silvery-olive background. They congregate in large schools near submerged timber, brush piles, and dense weed beds where they hunt small fish during low-light hours. During spring spawning, males fan out shallow nests on sandy bottoms and aggressively guard their eggs until hatching.

FreshwaterSchoolingGamefish
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Minnows
  • Shad
  • Aquatic Insect Larvae
Predators
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Northern Pike
  • Great Blue Heron
ThreatsHabitat loss, water pollution, overharvest in localized waters
HabitatsClear lakes, reservoirs, ponds, slow-moving rivers
Life span7–15 years
Classification
  1. OrderPerciformes
  2. FamilyCentrarchidae
  3. GenusPomoxis
  4. SpeciesPomoxis nigromaculatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Low-Light Hours: Look for active feeding behavior near dawn and dusk around aquatic vegetation.
  • Submerged Cover: Search near submerged logs, dock pilings, and weed edges where schools aggregate.
  • Careful Handling: Support the body beneath the belly to protect delicate skin and avoid dorsal spines.
Related species
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