The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Suckers

Rustyside Sucker, Thoburnia hamiltoni

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Streamlined, blotched, faintly striped sucker with a torpedo-shaped body, short head and bumpy lips
ï¿½	Smaller eye and longer, wider, more bumpy lower lip than T. rhothoeca    
ï¿½	Elongate, round body
ï¿½	Inferior mouth, round, bulbous snout
ï¿½	Flattened head, slightly convex dorsally
ï¿½	Dorsal fin edge straight or slightly concave
ï¿½	Tail fin small, with a shallow, rounded notch; slightly rounded upper lobe, well rounded lower lobe
ï¿½	Nuptial tubercles on male well developed on anal fin and lower tail fin lobe
ï¿½	Orange or red-orange in nuptial and other males, brown or rusty in nuptial females

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Torrent sucker (Thoburnia rhothoeca)
ï¿½	Blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 75-125 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Clear streams with little vegetation, clean gravel and rubble

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Upper Dan River system, Roanoke drainage, Patrick County, Virginia

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Detritus and some aquatic insects

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Males mature at age 2, females at age 3
ï¿½	Spawning occurs late March to early May 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Special concern status in Virginia

References:       

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

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):