Similar fish. Telling differences.

Look beyond color: jaws, fin rays, and markings can help separate a familiar pair.

largemouth bass vs. smallmouth bass

Check the closed mouth: the jaw reaches behind the eye. A dark band runs along the side.

Look for vertical bars and a closed jaw ending before the back of the eye.

A forked tail and a curved anal-fin edge help separate it from blue catfish. Young fish often have spots; large adults may lose them.

Check the straight anal-fin edge and 30–36 anal rays; the channel catfish has fewer. Do not rely on blue color alone.

Look for a small mouth, dark gill flap, and dark patch on the soft dorsal fin. Body bars may be faint.

A relatively large mouth and blue-green flecks help separate it from bluegill. Check the full sunfish guide.

Irregular dark speckling suggests black crappie. Confirm with seven or eight dorsal spines.

Regular vertical bars suggest white crappie. Confirm with five or six dorsal spines; breeding males can become much darker.