The black crappie is generally darker overall and has seven or eight spines in its dorsal fin. The white crappie, on the other hand, often has markings arranged in vertical bars. It usually has five or six dorsal spines. Spawning habits for the two crappie species are similar. They spawn in May and June, in water temperatures in the mid-60s, in water up to 6 feet deep.
Males build and guard nests in colonies.
Crappie are prone to stunting. Because a strong year-class often dominates in a lake, crappie often appear to be all of the same size. When these fish of a strong year-class grow large, the lake can gain a reputation as a crappie hot spot and then fade into mediocrity as a younger year class takes over. Young crappie eat small aquatic invertebrates. Adults can continue to feed on plankton but usually eat a lot of small fish as well.