Home · Catostomidae · Black redhorse
Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnii) — Catostomidae

Black redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnii
Family: Catostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnii) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
51 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The black redhorse is a sucker (family Catostomidae) of eastern North America. The species grows to about 51 cm and has an elongate, silvery-grey body with an inferior, fleshy sucking mouth. It inhabits sand- to rock-bottomed pools and runs of creeks and small to medium rivers, and also occurs in impoundments. Its diet consists of small benthic invertebrates, especially small crustaceans and midge larvae. It is a potamodromous species that migrates within fresh water to spawn, with a lifespan of up to about ten years. The fish is harmless to humans and popular with anglers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black redhorse?

The Black redhorse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Black redhorse live?

The Black redhorse lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Black redhorse get?

The Black redhorse grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Black redhorse dangerous to humans?

No, the Black redhorse is harmless to humans.

Is the Black redhorse edible?

The Black redhorse is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte zuigkarper sourced
English name
Black redhorse sourced
Scientific name
Moxostoma duquesnii
Family
Catostomidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
51.0 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met worm of made in stromende delen van rivieren. sourced
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 Moxostoma

More from the family Catostomidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →