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Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) — Catostomidae

Longnose sucker

Catostomus catostomus
Family: Catostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 64 cm.

Length
64 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–180.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) is a freshwater sucker of North America and north-eastern Siberia, ranging from Canada and Alaska to the Great Lakes and farther south. It lives in clear, cold, deep water of lakes and tributary streams and grows to 64 centimetres. The torpedo-shaped body is reddish brown to dark brassy green above with a white belly; in the breeding season males develop a bright red stripe along the flank. The inferior, thick, papillose sucking mouth reflects a bottom diet of invertebrates. The species can live for about 20 years.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnose sucker?

The Longnose sucker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Longnose sucker live?

The Longnose sucker lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longnose sucker get?

The Longnose sucker grows to a maximum of about 64 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.

Is the Longnose sucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Longnose sucker is harmless to humans.

Is the Longnose sucker edible?

The Longnose sucker is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuitzuiger inferred
English name
Longnose sucker sourced
Scientific name
Catostomus catostomus
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Finescale sucker; Jasper longnose sucker; Longnose sucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
64.0 verified
Average length (cm)
22.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown verified
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked sourced
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) verified
Lips
Thick / fleshy verified
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous verified
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
20 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met worm of maden in koele, heldere rivieren en meren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Catostomus

More from the family Catostomidae

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