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Tahoe sucker (Catostomus tahoensis) — Catostomidae

Tahoe sucker

Catostomus tahoensis
Family: Catostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Tahoe sucker (Catostomus tahoensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 61 cm.

Length
61 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Tahoe sucker is a sucker (Catostomidae) from North America. The species has an elongate body with an inferior, thick-lipped mouth. It occurs in various habitats but is most abundant in large lakes such as Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake. With its sucker mouth it forages over the bottom and takes algae, detritus, insect larvae and small invertebrates. It is an important prey fish for predators. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tahoe sucker?

The Tahoe sucker has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tahoe sucker live?

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

How big does the Tahoe sucker get?

The Tahoe sucker grows to a maximum of about 61 cm. On average the species is around 28 cm.

Is the Tahoe sucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Tahoe sucker is harmless to humans.

Is the Tahoe sucker edible?

The Tahoe sucker is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tahoe-zuigkarper sourced
English name
Tahoe sucker verified
Scientific name
Catostomus tahoensis
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Tahoe sucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
61.0 verified
Average length (cm)
27.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
15.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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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