Black Crappie vs Summer Flounder
Pomoxis nigromaculatus compared with Paralichthys dentatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Black Crappie | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pomoxis nigromaculatus | Paralichthys dentatus |
| Order | Centrarchiformes | Pleuronectiformes |
| Family | Centrarchidae | Paralichthyidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Black Crappie | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 49.0 cm | 94.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 2.7 kg | 12.0 kg |
| Color | Silver-green to olive-gray body heavily speckled with irregular dark black-green spots scattered randomly without forming vertical bars; dorsal and anal fins spotted; belly is silvery-white. | Eyed side is brownish to gray-green with a mottled pattern of pale blotches; 12–14 distinct pale-edged dark ocelli (eyespots) scattered across the body; blind side is plain white; color changes with substrate. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Black Crappie | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-?m | 10-183m |
| Geographic Range | Native to freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow rivers of the eastern United States and southern Canada from the Great Lakes to Texas. Found in weedy … | Western North Atlantic from Nova Scotia south to Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. Undertakes seasonal offshore migration to deeper Continental Shelf waters in … |
| Habitat | Estuaries | Neritic, demersal, estuaries |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Black Crappie | Summer Flounder |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Black Crappie
Sweet, tender white flesh with fine flakes and very low fat; considered among the best-tasting panfish. Delicious pan-fried with light seasoning or battered and deep-fried.
Summer Flounder
Thin, delicate white fillets with a sweet, mild flavor and very low fat. Prized on the U.S. East Coast; superb pan-fried in butter, stuffed and baked, or prepared as ceviche.
Species Overview
Black Crappie
The black crappie is a popular panfish found throughout North American lakes and reservoirs. Known for its delicate, sweet-tasting flesh, it is most actively caught during spring spawning when it moves to shallow water near cover.
Summer Flounder
The summer flounder, or fluke, is a flatfish that lies camouflaged on the ocean floor. Born with eyes on both sides, one eye migrates to the left side during development. An ambush predator, it explodes upward to grab passing prey.