The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Suckers

Torrent Sucker, Thoburnia rhothoeca

Physical Description:
ï¿½ Blotched sucker with a torpedo-shaped body, short head and bumpy lips
ï¿½ Elongate, round body
ï¿½ Inferior mouth, round, bulbous snout
ï¿½ Small, lateral eye
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

Similar species:
ï¿½ Rustyside sucker (Thoburnia hamiltoni)
ï¿½ Blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis)

Mean body size:
ï¿½ Adults are 85-150 mm standard length

Habitat:
ï¿½ Creeks and rivers in riffles and runs
ï¿½ Extreme headwaters and clean-bottomed areas

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½ Central Virginia in mountains and uplands of the Potomac, Rappahannock, James, Chowan, and Roanoke drainages
ï¿½ Once in the New River

Food Habits:
ï¿½ Algae, other plant material, insect larvae

Reproductive Habits:
ï¿½ Males mature at age 2, both male and female spawn at age 3
ï¿½ Spawning behavior and habitat are unknown
ï¿½ Fecundity has been reported as 742-1,749 by Raney and Lachner (1946)

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
ï¿½ Common in its range in the upper James
ï¿½ Native range is uncertain

References:

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

Raney, E.C. and E.A. Lachner. 1946. Age and growth of the rustyside sucker, T. rhothoeca. American Midland Naturalist 36: 675-681.

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