Black crappie
Black crappie | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Centrarchidae |
Genus: | Pomoxis |
Species: | P. nigromaculatus
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Binomial name | |
Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Lesueur, 1829)
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Synonyms[2] | |
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The black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is a freshwater fish found in North America, one of the two types of crappies. It is very similar to the white crappie (P. annularis) in size, shape, and habits, except that it is darker, with a pattern of black spots. Alternate names for the species include calico bass, speck, speckled perch, speckled bass, moonfish, grass bass, strawberry bass, shiner, crawpie, oswego bass, sac-a-lait, and marigane noire.[3][4]
Taxonomy
Pomoxis, the genus name, is Greek: "poma, -atos" and "oxys" meaning sharp operculum. This references the fish's spined gill covers. The species name, nigromaculatus, is derived from Latin and means "black-spotted".[5][6]
Description
Black crappies are most accurately identified by the seven or eight spines on its
Distribution
The black crappie's range is uncertain, since it has been widely transplanted, but it is presumed to be similar to the white crappie's. Its native range is suspected to be in the eastern United States and Canada, and as of 2005, populations existed in all of the 48 contiguous U.S. states.[9][10][11] Introduced populations also exist in Mexico and Panama.[12]
Habitat
The black crappie's habitats are
Like P. annularis, P. nigromaculatus is very prolific and can tend to overpopulate its environment, with negative consequences both for the crappie and for other fish species.[14] A commercial supplier of the fish, however, claims that it can be safely stocked in ponds as small as one acre (0.40 hectares) in area.[15]
Diet
Crappies feed early in the morning and from about midnight until approximately 2 am. Individuals smaller than about 16 centimetres (6.3 in) in length eat plankton and minuscule crustaceans, while larger individuals feed on small fish (like shad), as well as minnows.
Relationships with humans
Crappies are a very popular sport fish, as they are easy to catch during their feeding times.[18] There are minimal number and size restriction limits for fishing the crappie species.[5]
Angling
Crappie are commonly caught on small jigs and minnow rigs. Unlike their cousins, the
Conservation status
Black crappies can be safely harvested under minimal, reasonable regulations, as long as there is no permanent damage to the fishery or environment.[5] The black crappie is not listed as a species under threat on the IUCN Red List.[5]
Reproduction and life cycle
Black crappies mature at 2–4 years. Growth during the first four years of their life is faster in the warm waters of the southern part of its range than in cooler waters in the north.[5] White crappie have a higher growth rate in terms of length than black crappie.[6] Most fish that are caught for sport are between 2 and 5 years old.[citation needed]
The breeding season varies by location, due to the species' great range. Breeding temperature is 14‒20 °C (58‒68 °F) and spawning occurs in spring and early summer. Spawning occurs in a nest built by the male.[5][10][19] Males use their bodies and tails to sweep out an area of sand or mud in shallow water (between one and six feet deep) usually near a shoreline and vegetation to create a nest.[6] Black crappies appear to nest in the most protected areas (such as places with woody debris or live vegetation) possible.[20]
Female crappies produce an average of 40,000
The oldest recorded age of a specimen is fifteen years, although seven years is a more typical life span for the species.[10]
References
- . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). Pomoxis &speciesname= nigromaculatus" Pomoxis nigromaculatus " in FishBase. December 2019 version.
- ^ "Pomoxis nigromaculatus".
- ^ "Crappie | A Comprehensive Species Guide". 10 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Biological Profiles Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)". Florida Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original on 27 July 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
- ^ "Black Crappie". Retrieved 3 May 2012.
- ^ "Looking At The World Record Crappie (White And Black)". Premier Angler. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "Black Crappie". Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department. Archived from the original on 2006-07-27. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- ^ a b c d e f Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Pomoxis nigromaculatus" in FishBase. March 2006 version.
- ^ a b c "Black Crappie". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- ^ "Pomoxis nigromaculatus (black crappie)". www.cabi.org. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
- ^ "Species and Eco Systems". Harrison Fishery. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
- .
- ^ "Types of Fish: Black Crappie". Dunn's Fish Farm. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- ^ Currier, Mary (2018). Powers, Karen; Tingle, April; Clark, Emily; Mcgregor, Cari; Vaught, Jacob; Dewey, Tanya (eds.). "Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Calico bass)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ^ a b Turner, Jerry L. (1966). "11. Distribution and Food Habits of Centrarchid Fishes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta". In Turner, Jerry L.; Kelley, D.W. (eds.). Ecological Studies of The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Part II: Fishes of The Delta. Department of Fish and Game, Resources Agency, State of California. pp. 144–153. Fish Bulletin 136. Retrieved 10 February 2023 – via UC San Diego: Library – Scripps Digital Collection.
- ^ "Crappie Fishing Information". Information on Fishing for Crappie. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
- ^ a b "Comprehensive Report Species - Pomoxis nigromaculatus". NatureServe Explorer. Archived from the original on 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2006-06-29.
- .
External links
- Media related to Pomoxis nigromaculatus (black crappie) at Wikimedia Commons