Crappie vs. Sunfish — What's the Difference?

Crappies () are a genus, Pomoxis, of North American freshwater fish in the sunfish family Centrarchidae. Both species in this genus are popular pan fish.

Any of various North American freshwater fishes of the family Centrarchidae, having laterally compressed, often brightly colored bodies and including the crappies, black bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed.

Either of two edible North American sunfishes, the black crappie or the white crappie. Also called speckled perch.

Any of several large marine fishes of the family Molidae, especially the ocean sunfish.

A member of either of two species of North American sunfish of the genus Pomoxis. Both are silvery-white with black speckles, and prized as gamefish.

Any of various small freshwater fishes of the family Centrarchidae, often with iridescent colours and having a laterally compressed body.

A kind of fresh-water bass of the genus Pomoxys, found in the rivers of the Southern United States and Mississippi valley. There are several species.

Any of various large marine fishes of the family Molidae that have an oval compressed body.

Small sunfishes of the genus Pomoxis of central United States rivers

(intransitive) Of an animal such as a bull or a horse: to twist the body into a crescent shape and roll back and forth.

Small sunfishes of central United States rivers

A very large oceanic plectognath fish (Mola mola, Mola rotunda, or Orthagoriscus mola) having a broad body and a truncated tail.

The lean flesh of any of numerous American perch-like fishes of the family Centrarchidae

Among the largest bony fish; pelagic fish having an oval compressed body with high dorsal and anal fins and caudal fin reduced to a rudder-like lobe; worldwide in warm waters

Small carnivorous freshwater percoid fishes of North America usually having a laterally compressed body and metallic luster: crappies; black bass; bluegills; pumpkinseed