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Bridgelip sucker (Catostomus columbianus) — Catostomidae

Bridgelip sucker

Catostomus columbianus
Family: Catostomidae

The Bridgelip sucker (Catostomus columbianus) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bridgelip sucker is a sucker (Catostomidae) from fresh water of the Columbia River system in northwestern North America. The species has an elongate, silver-grey body with large scales and an inferior mouth with thick, fleshy lips. As a bottom-dweller it sucks up insect larvae, molluscs, algae and detritus over sand and gravel bottoms of rivers and lakes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bridgelip sucker?

The Bridgelip sucker has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bridgelip sucker live?

The Bridgelip sucker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bridgelip sucker get?

The Bridgelip sucker grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 16 cm.

Is the Bridgelip sucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Bridgelip sucker is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Brugllip-zuigkarper sourced
English name
Bridgelip sucker sourced
Scientific name
Catostomus columbianus
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Bridgelip sucker; Columbia small scaled sucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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