Northern Hogsucker,  Hypentelium nigricans

 
Physical Description: 
�	Elongate, concave-headed, bumpy-lipped sucker
�	Inferior mouth, does not extend past snout tip
�	Eye near top of head 
�	Flattened head
�	Nuptial tubercles on male on the anal fin and lower tail fin lobe
�	Dark saddles on back
�	Looks similar to Roanoke hogsucker, but much larger

Similar species: 
�	Roanoke hogsucker (Hypentelium roanokense)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 125-300 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Clean creeks and rivers in most habitats
�	Intolerant of pollution, siltation, and channelization
�	Rarely found in lakes and impoundments

Distribution in VA:
�	Widely distributed in most of the major drainages but not found in the Virginia Pee Dee

Food Habits:  
�	Insect larvae, microcrustaceans, fish eggs, small mollusks, and algae
�	Stir up the bottom with the snout 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Males mature at age 2-3, females around age 3-4
�	Spawning may occur in late March through early May 
�	Spawn over gravel in pools and riffles

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Bigeye Jumprock Black Jumprock Black Redhorse Creek Chubsucker Golden Redhorse Northen Hogsucker Roanoke Hogsucker Rustyside Sucker Shorthead Redhorse Torrent Sucker V-Lip Redhorse White Sucker Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes