White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish native to North America. It has a deep, compressed body with a silvery-green to golden-brown coloration and a white belly. It has 5-7 spines in its dorsal fin and 8-10 soft rays in its anal fin. It is typically found in clear, slow-moving streams, rivers, and lakes, and prefers areas with aquatic vegetation. Its lifespan is typically 5-7 years, and its current population is stable.

Name Origin: The scientific name of the organism, Pomoxis annularis, is derived from the Greek words poma, meaning "lid" or "cover," and oxys, meaning "sharp," and the Latin word annularis, meaning "ring-shaped." This is likely in reference to the organism's shape, which is similar to a lid or a ring.

Related Species: Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Pomoxis sparoides, Pomoxis carolinae, Pomoxis elongatus

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Fish

Order: Fish

Family: Centrarchidae

Genus: Teleostei

Species: Fish

Pomoxis annularis is a freshwater fish that prefers to live in clear, slow-moving streams and rivers. They are most commonly found in areas with plenty of vegetation, such as submerged logs and aquatic plants. They also prefer areas with a sandy or muddy bottom, as well as areas with plenty of rocks and other structures to hide in. Other animals that can be found in the same habitat as Pomoxis annularis include bass, catfish, and sunfish. The ideal living conditions for this species include plenty of food, a stable water temperature, and a safe place to hide from predators.

Native country: US, Canada

Native continent: They are native to North America, mainly found in the United States.

Other organisms found in habitat: Zooplankton, Macroinvertebrates, Amphipods, Mollusks, Aquatic Insects, Aquatic Plants, Algae

Appearance Summary: Pomoxis annularis is a species of freshwater fish, commonly known as the white crappie. It has a deep, compressed body with a large mouth and a slightly forked tail. Its coloration is typically silvery-green with dark vertical bars and a white belly. It has a large dorsal fin with 7-8 spines and 11-13 soft rays, and a small anal fin with 3-4 spines and 6-7 soft rays. It has a long, pointed snout and a large eye. Its scales are large and its lateral line is well-defined.

Facial description: Pomoxis annularis has a large, slightly oblong body with a small head and a large mouth. Its eyes are located near the top of its head and its mouth is slightly upturned. Its body is covered in small scales and its coloration is typically olive green to brown. It has a black spot near the base of its tail and a black line running along its lateral line. Its fins are generally yellowish-green in color.

What are the distinct features of White Crappie? Slender body, olive-green to yellowish-green in color, dark spots on sides, dark vertical bars on sides, large eyes, small mouth, long dorsal fin, short anal fin, small scales, no vocalizations, schooling behavior, feeds on small fish and invertebrates

What makes them unique?

White Crappie body color description: The most common colors of Pomoxis annularis are olive green, yellow, and silver.

skin type: The exterior of Pomoxis annularis is smooth and slimy, with a slightly rough texture. Its scales are small and thin, giving it a glossy sheen.

Strengths: Adaptability, Resilience, Ability to Reproduce Quickly, Ability to Withstand Environmental Changes, Ability to Find Food Easily, Ability to Hide from Predators

Weaknesses: Susceptible to environmental changes, Limited habitat range, Low reproductive rate, Slow growth rate, Susceptible to overfishing, Susceptible to pollution

Pomoxis annularis behavior summary: Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish that can be found in lakes and rivers. It is an active swimmer and uses its fins to move quickly through the water. It is also an ambush predator, hiding in the shadows of vegetation and other structures to surprise its prey. When threatened, it will use its sharp spines to defend itself. White crappie also interact with their environment by using their gills to filter oxygen from the water and by using their mouths to feed on small invertebrates. They also interact with other organisms by forming schools with other fish of the same species.

How do they defend themselves? Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish that defends itself from attacks by using its sharp spines. These spines are located on the dorsal and anal fins and can be used to deter predators. Additionally, the white crappie has a camouflaged coloration that helps it blend in with its environment and avoid detection.

How do White Crappie respond to stimuli in their environment? Visual, Chemical, Acoustic

How do White Crappie gather food? Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish that hunts by using its sharp senses to detect prey. It needs a steady supply of small invertebrates, such as insects, crustaceans, and small fish, to survive. The white crappie typically approaches its prey by slowly swimming around and waiting for the right moment to strike. It faces challenges such as competition from other fish, changes in water temperature, and the availability of food sources.

How do White Crappie communicate in their environment? They use a variety of methods to communicate with other organisms, such as sound, visual cues, and chemical signals. They also use their sense of smell to detect predators and prey, as well as to identify potential mates. They also use their sense of touch to detect vibrations in the water, which can indicate the presence of other organisms.

Examples: They use visual cues, such as body coloration, to communicate; They use chemical cues, such as pheromones, to communicate; They use sound cues, such as vocalizations, to communicate

How does the White Crappie get territorial? Staking out a territory, Defending a territory, Chasing away intruders

Diet Summary: Pomoxis annularis primarily feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Commonly consumed foods include aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddisflies, and midges; crustaceans such as crayfish, amphipods, and isopods; and small fish such as minnows and shiners. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include pollutants and contaminants found in the water.

Predators: Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish species native to North America. The most threatening predators to this species are larger fish such as bass and walleye, as well as birds such as herons and cormorants. Environmental changes such as water temperature, water clarity, and water chemistry can also have a negative impact on the population growth of this species. Human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction can also have a negative impact on the population growth of this species.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Disease, Predation by Larger Fish, Competition with Non-Native Species

Life cycle: Pomoxis annularis reproduces by spawning in the spring and summer months. The eggs are laid in shallow water and hatch in about a week. The larvae feed on plankton and grow rapidly, reaching a length of about 2 inches in a few weeks. As they mature, they move to deeper water and feed on small fish and insects. They reach sexual maturity at about one year of age and can live up to five years.

Average offspring size: 5.5 - 8.5 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory Irritation, Skin Irritation, Allergic Reactions, Gastrointestinal Irritation, Cardiovascular Effects, Neurological Effects, Reproductive Effects, Carcinogenic Effects

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Disease, Predation by Larger Fish, Competition with Non-Native Species

Common diseases that threaten the White Crappie population: Fin Rot, Gill Rot, Bacterial Gill Disease, Columnaris Disease, White Spot Disease, Saprolegniasis, Vibriosis, Amyloodiniosis, Mycobacteriosis, Trichodiniasis

Population: Pomoxis annularis population has been steadily declining since the early 2000s, with the lowest population recorded in 2018. The population peaked in the late 1990s, with the highest population recorded in 1998. In the last ten years, the population has decreased from an estimated 1.2 million in 2009 to 0.8 million in 2018.

How do White Crappie adapt to their environment Pomoxis annularis, commonly known as the white crappie, is a freshwater fish that has adapted to its environment by developing a laterally compressed body shape, allowing it to move quickly and efficiently through the water. This adaptation helps the white crappie to evade predators and to quickly find food sources. For example, in the summer months, white crappie can be found near the surface of the water, where they can take advantage of the abundance of insects.

What's their social structure? Pomoxis annularis is a species of fish that is found in freshwater lakes and streams. They are a part of the food chain, as they are preyed upon by larger fish, birds, and mammals. They also feed on smaller organisms such as insects, crustaceans, and other fish. They interact with their family or species by forming schools, which helps them to find food and protect themselves from predators. They also communicate with each other through sound and body language.

How would you describe their survival instincts? They have a variety of survival instincts that allow them to respond to stimuli in their environment. They have the ability to detect changes in water temperature, light, and oxygen levels, and can use these cues to find food, avoid predators, and migrate to suitable habitats. They also have the ability to detect vibrations in the water, which helps them to detect predators and other potential threats.