Pomoxis Rafinesque,
1818, is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (family
Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis,
the white crappie. The species of this genus are known as crappies
(the first syllable being pronounced as the word crop in American
English), and are extremely popular gamefish; both are also sometimes
known as the calico bass.
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The genus has
two species: The white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque,
1818, is native throughout the eastern half of Canada and the
United States, and has been widely introduced in the west as well.
The white crappie is generally deep-bodied and silvery in color,
with darker vertical stripes. The dorsal fin has at least six
spines, and there are spines on the gill cover. The maximum recorded
length for a white crappie in 53 cm (21 in), with a maximum weight
of almost 2.4 kg (more than 5 lb); it can live as long as ten
years. This species prefers slower-moving water, whether a backwater
of a small creek or a large lake. The black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
(Lesueur, 1829), is very similar to P. annularis in size, shape,
and habits, except that it is darker, with a pattern of black
spots. It tends to prefer clearer water than the white crappie
does. Its native range is uncertain, since it has been so widely
transplanted, but it is presumed to be similar to the white crappie's.
The black crappie is also known as the strawberry bass or Oswego
bass.
Images 1 through 4 Come From The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Images Number 5 Is Courtesy of The USDA
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