Food of the Black Crappie Pomoxis Nigro-Maculatus (LeSueur), in Orange Lake, Florida

Abstract

Orange Lake in north central Florida has an area of approximately 14,000 acres and is surrounded by extensive marshes. During a 12-month period, stomach contents of 902 black crappie (Pomoxis nigro-maculatus) ranging in size from 31 to 291 millimeters, standard length, were analyzed. The frequency of occurrence of various food organisms, seasonal trends in the consumption of food items, and the average volume of food per stomach are presented. Gizzard shad are the most important food item of the adult crappie except during the spring months of February, March, and April when their frequency is exceeded or equalled by Malacostraca. In summer and fall crappies feed largely upon fishes and, to a lesser extent, upon Malacostraca, dipterous larvae, pupae and adults, and Entomostraca. During the winter months fishes constitute the main food of the crappie, all other food items occurring in less than 50 percent of the stomachs. The chief food of young crappies is Entomostraca. The consumption of larger organisms increases as they attain larger size. During breeding season male crappies eat approximately 33 percent more malacostracans and 33 percent less fish than females.