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. 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.

The generic name Pomoxis derives from the Greek πώμα (cover, plug, operculum) and οξύς (sharp). The common name (also spelled croppie or crappé), derives from the Canadian French crapet, which refers to many different fishes of the family Centrarchidae.

References

• FishBase: Pomoxis (http://www.fishbase.org/Eschmeyer/GeneraSummary.cfm?ID=Pomoxis)
  • Pomoxis annularis (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Pomoxis&speciesname=annularis)
  • Pomoxis nigromaculatus (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Pomoxis&speciesname=nigromaculatus)
• ITIS: Pomoxis (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=168165)
• Adams, Robert. "Pomoxis nigromaculatus: Information (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pomoxis_nigromaculatus.html)". Animal Diversity Web. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, 2000.