Black crappie species. "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". Black crappie The black crappie ("Pomoxis nigromaculatus") is a freshwater fish found in North America, one of the two crappies. It is very similar to the white crappie in size, shape, and habits, except that it is darker, with a pattern of black spots. Black crappies are most accurately identified by the seven or eight spines on its dorsal fin (white crappies have five or six dorsal spines).
White crappie the spawning season, males develop dark coloration on their throats. Females lay 5,000 to 30,000 eggs. The males guard these nests until the fry swim away. Males guard these nests because it helps ensure the success of their genes being passed on to the next generation. The white crappie typically grows within the first year of its life and can grow an additional 3-4 in in the second year. The white crappies reach maturity around their second or third year. White crappies are neither cruise- nor ambush-feeding strategists. Instead, they swim intermittently and only search for prey when stationary. This