Food-grade fish · warm-water · carnivore

White crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Also known asPapermouth · Sac-a-lait (Louisiana)

intermediate warm-water 35% dress-out

Plan a system with White crappie

Harvest weight

600 g

30 cm long

Days to harvest

365–730

from fingerling

Feed protein

40%

Optimum temp

23°C

Water parameters

Temperature

0°C10°C20°C30°C

4–30°C

45.578.5

6–8.5

Hardness

0102030

4–20 dGH

Minimum tank: 800 L per individual at harvest size.

Feed and growth

Feed protein: 40% target
Daily feed (warm): 2.00% of body weight
Daily feed (cool): 0.70% of body weight
Max density: 20 g per litre

A 600 g adult eats about 12.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~120 g daily.

Origin and habitat

Native to freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and slow rivers across eastern and central North America, from the Great Lakes south through the Mississippi basin to the Gulf states. The species (Pomoxis annularis) is closely related to black crappie and occupies similar habitats, though white crappie tolerate more turbid water and show greater adaptability to reservoir conditions. Adults reach 25–35 cm and 200–500 g. White crappie feed on small fish and invertebrates. The flesh is white, flaky, mild, and excellent eating, identical to black crappie at the table. White crappie are extremely popular sport fish across the US South and Midwest, with tournaments and guided trips generating significant local economic activity.

Climate and outdoor ponds

warm-water species

Heating required in temperate

Cooling required in temperate

Climate: temperate (handles seasonal swings)
USDA zones: 4–10 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)
Heating needed: no
Cooling needed: no

Care notes

A warm-water panfish for aquaponics with culture characteristics very similar to black crappie, suited to the warmer end of the crappie temperature range. Optimal temperature is 20–28°C, with tolerance from 5–32°C. Growth: 150–300 g in 18-24 months on high-protein pellet (40-45% protein). FCR is approximately 2.0-2.5, comparable to black crappie. White crappie tolerate warmer and more turbid water than black crappie, making them slightly better suited to systems in the US South and Southwest where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 28°C and turbidity from algae or suspended solids is higher. The same fundamental culture challenges apply to both crappie species: slow growth by aquaculture standards, difficult pellet feed training (must begin with very small fingerlings under 5 cm), and persistent cannibalism between size classes that requires regular grading. Source pellet-trained fingerlings from hatcheries. Stocking density: 5-10 g/L, low because crappie become stressed and aggressive at higher densities. Dissolved oxygen above 4 mg/L; ammonia below 1 mg/L. Fingerlings may be available from state hatcheries with surplus production from sport-fish stocking programs; commercial availability for private aquaculture is inconsistent and often seasonal. Legal in most states without special permits. The flesh quality is outstanding and widely considered among the best of any freshwater panfish. White crappie are attractive for personal-consumption aquaponics where eating quality is the primary goal.