Longnose sucker

Taxobox
name = Longnose sucker


image_width = 240px
status = secure
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Cypriniformes
subordo = Cobitoidea
familia = Catostomidae
genus = "Catostomus"
species = "C. catostomus"
binomial = "Catostomus catostomus"
binomial_authority = Forster, 1773
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision = "C. c. catostomus" "C. c. lacustris"The longnose sucker, "Catostomus catostomus", is a freshwater species of fish inhabiting cold, clear waters in North America from northern USA to the top of the continent. In addition, it is the only species of sucker to inhabit Asia, specifically the rivers of eastern Siberia. The body of the longnose sucker is long and round with dark olive or grey sides and top and a light underside. They are typically 15 - 25 inches long and weigh between one and two lb.

The longnose sucker is a bottom-feeding fish, eating aquatic plants, algae, and small invertebrates. They are preyed upon by larger predatory fish, such as bass, walleye, trout, northern pike, muskellunge, and burbot. They are fished for game and food and also used as bait to catch the larger predators.

Longnose suckers are often confused with white suckers, as they appear very similar.

References

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External links

* [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_18958-45693--,00.html Michigan DNR species info]
* [http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/fish/catostomuscat.html Species profile by Earl J.S. Rook]
* [http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/longnosesucker.html Wisconsin Sea Grant Fish of the Great Lakes fact sheet]