Carostomidae the suckers By: Richard Scott

Family Info. Quillback, White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse. They are all food for other fish, when little Catostomidae- inferior mouth Suckers are moderate-sized, robust fish, with smooth-edged, or cycloid, scales.

Some sucker that are found in pa are – Quillback, white Sucker, Northern Hog sucker, river redhorse, shorthead redhorse. Only the longnose sucker, bigmouth buffalo are endangered The smallmouth buffalo, spotted sucker are threatened. The river redhorse is considering being threatened.

68 species found throughout North America’s fresh waters north of Mexico. Only 18 found in PA but most are being question whether still exist here. Some that are not in pa are –Lake chubsucker, creed chubsucker, blue sucker and many more

Quillback (carpiodes cyprinus) They are silver, and have a dorsal fin that is long and stretching along the back nearly to the tail fin. They can get to about 2 feet long and about 12 lbs.

Difference Dorsal fin is longer then rest of family No nipple-like structure on lower lip Nostril posterior to middle of mouth

Eric Ohio Susquehanna Delaware

Northern HogSucker (Hypentehum Nigricans) Grow max 22in long and about 4 lbs Not silver. back and upper part is brownish with dark mottling, 4 dark bars shaded lighter brown on the sides, mouth at the end of the snout of head. Can usually be found near mouth of tributary steams were little water movement.

Difference Dark saddle crosses back before dorsal fin Well camouflaged

All water ways

River Redhorse (Moxostoma earinatum) Candidate for threatened or endangered species status. name from orange or reddish color of fins, max 25-30 in upper sides are copper, golden or greenish. Bellies are silver to bronze. Color, size depends on breed of redhorse Mouth at the end of their head

Difference Body large and thick Dorsal fin somewhat falcate Upper lobe of caudal fin is much longer than lower lobe of most of the suckers

Ohio