The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Suckers

V-lip redhorse, Moxostoma pappillosum

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Slightly elongate, nearly round, slightly compressed and shallow body
ï¿½	Dark scale bases
ï¿½	V-shaped lower lip, inferior mouth, round snout
ï¿½	Medium-sized to large eye
ï¿½	Dorsal fin edge slightly concave or straight
ï¿½	Tail fin with pointed tips, and equal length or almost so
ï¿½	Large nuptial tubercles on anal fin and lower tail fin lobe, tiny ones elsewhere on body
ï¿½	Back brown or olive-colored, silvery or coppery sides, slight brassy and green iridescence on scales
ï¿½	Dorsal fin with faint red at the front part
ï¿½	Tail fin red around the edge of the lobes
ï¿½	Anal fin pale orange, orange-red, or white
ï¿½	Lower fins orange or pale red

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum)
ï¿½	River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 230-325 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Found in warm, medium-sized streams to medium rivers of moderate or gentle gradient, clear or moderately turbid and moderately silted
ï¿½	Found in some impoundments

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Chowan and Roanoke drainages

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Aquatic insects, ostracods, plants, and silt
ï¿½	Feed in pool shallows, slow and swift runs, over sand, gravel, and rubble
ï¿½	Feed by moving stones away and stirring up the bottom

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Spawning may occur in late April to early July 
ï¿½	Migrate upstream to spawn

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Some populations may be declining, but unclear

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):