Home · Catostomidae · Creek chubsucker
Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) — Catostomidae

Creek chubsucker

Erimyzon oblongus
Family: Catostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
37.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) is a North American sucker of the family Catostomidae. The species has a stocky, olive to bronze body with a ventral, fleshy sucker mouth and reaches about 38 cm. It inhabits sand and gravel bottoms of pools in clear headwaters, creeks and small rivers, often near vegetation, and sometimes occurs in lakes. With its sucker mouth it searches the bottom for small zooplankton, aquatic insects and some algae. Juveniles often bear a dark lengthwise stripe. Owing to its sensitivity to water pollution the species is an indicator of clean, clear water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Creek chubsucker?

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

Where does the Creek chubsucker live?

The Creek chubsucker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Creek chubsucker get?

The Creek chubsucker grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Creek chubsucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Creek chubsucker is harmless to humans.

Is the Creek chubsucker edible?

The Creek chubsucker is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Beek-zuigkarper sourced
English name
Creek chubsucker verified
Scientific name
Erimyzon oblongus
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Eastern creek chubsucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.6 verified
Average length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
6.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not 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 Erimyzon

More from the family Catostomidae

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