White sucker (Catostomus commersonii)

Scientific name: Catostomus commersonii Lacep?de, 1803

White sucker (Catostomus commersonii)

The White sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 29°C (84°F).

White sucker care at a glance

Temperature
29°C (84°F)

Biology

Inhabits a wide range of habitats, from rocky pools and riffles of headwaters to large lakes. Usually occurs in small, clear, cool creeks and small to medium rivers. May be found at a depth greater than 45 m. Moves to shallower water near sunrise and sunset to feed. Fry (1.2 cm in length) feed on plankton and other small invertebrates; bottom feeding commences upon reaching a length of 1.6-1.8 cm. Preyed upon by birds, fishes, lamprey, and mammals. Flesh is white, flaky, and sweet.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Catostomus commersonii
Family
Catostomidae (Suckers)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
65.0
Common length
40.7
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; catadromous, usually ? - 30 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
North America: throughout most of Canada to the Atlantic Coast, south through North Carolina to New Mexico in the USA, becoming less common in the southern High Plains.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: occasionally
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=6; tmax=12)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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