The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Suckers

White Sucker, Catostomus commersoni

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Elongate, nearly round body
ï¿½	Fine scales
ï¿½	Scales get larger anterior to posterior
ï¿½	Thick, bumpy lips, inferior mouth
ï¿½	Medium-sized eye
ï¿½	Dorsal fin edge slightly concave or straight with a short fin base
ï¿½	Tail fin with pointed or somewhat rounded tips 
ï¿½	Back brown or olive-colored, yellow- or orange-olive colored sides, brassy iridescence
ï¿½	Olive-colored dorsal and tail fins or tail sometimes orange or red tinged
ï¿½	Lower fins white, yellow, or orange 
ï¿½	Spawning males have two broad stripes - down the back and sides

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis)
ï¿½	Utah sucker (Catostomus ardens)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 180-400 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Found in moderate and high-gradient, unsilted and heavily silted creeks and streams
ï¿½	West of New drainage, restricted to small and medium creeks

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Major drainages of Virginia, but usually not on the Coastal Plain

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Aquatic insects, small crustaceans, invertebrates, fish, plants
ï¿½	

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature at age 2 or 3, spawn between age 3 and 5
ï¿½	Spawning occurs in late March to July at 15-23ï¿½C
ï¿½	Migrate upstream to spawn
ï¿½	Fecundity 20,000-139,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	One of the most studied non-game fish in North America
ï¿½	Very abundant

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):