ExploreFish

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

The White Crappie is a speckled fish that enjoys swimming in groups. It has a light color with dark spots!

Habitat: Lakes and rivers

Appearance

The White Crappie has a deep, compressed body with a silvery-white color and several distinct vertical black bars or spots along its sides. It possesses a spiny dorsal fin and large eyes. Its slender head points to a slightly upturned mouth.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTeleosteiOrderCentrarchiformesFamilyCentrarchidaeGenusPomoxis

White Crappie

Interesting facts

A group of crappies is often called a school, and they stick together for safety.

Male crappies build and guard underwater nests to protect their eggs and young fish.

Their name 'crappie' comes from the French-Canadian word 'crapet', meaning 'small fish'.

White Crappies are sometimes called 'papermouths' because their mouths are very delicate.

Special abilities

White Crappie has large eyes that help them hunt small prey during low-light conditions at dawn and dusk.

White Crappie can blend into submerged logs and plants because of their mottled pattern, helping them ambush prey.

White Crappie has a deep, disc-shaped body that helps them turn quickly and navigate dense underwater structures.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-35 cm
Weight: 0.2-1.5 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Swim Speed: 8 km/h
Max Depth: 15 m
Water Type: Freshwater

Diet & Feeding

White Crappies are agile predators that munch on small aquatic critters they find in the water.

Age differences: Young crappies primarily eat zooplankton and insect larvae; adults prefer larger insects and small fish.

Primary Foods

small fish
aquatic insects
crustaceans
zooplankton

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Larger bass frequently prey on crappies.

eaten by

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Pike are apex predators that hunt crappies.

hunts

Water Flea

Daphnia pulex

Crappies feed on these tiny crustaceans.

hunts

Golden Shiner

Notemigonus crysoleucas

Crappies prey on small minnows like shiners.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Spotted

Discover animals and plants adorned with beautiful dots and splotches, making them unique and easy to spot!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Colorful

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Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.