Public Works and Environmental Services

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703-324-5500 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 449, Fairfax, Va 22035
Shannon Curtis
Chief, Watershed Assessment Branch

Suckers - Family Catostomidae

Much Longer Than Tall
Much Longer Than Tall
One Dorsal Fin
One Dorsal Fin
Thick Lips Downward Facing Mouth
Thick Lips Downward Facing Mouth

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CREEK CHUBSUCKER - Erimyzon oblongus

CREEK CHUBSUCKER

CREEK CHUBSUCKER - Erimyzon oblongus

Scientific Name: Erimyzon oblongus
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 10 inches
Diet: Microcrustaceans, aquatic insects, mollusks, algae and detritus
Distribution sampling sites: Map

The creek chubsucker is one of the few freshwater fish that do not possess a lateral line. The lateral line is a series of sensory pores along the head and sides of fish by which water currents, vibrations and pressure changes are detected.

 

GOLDEN REDHORSE - Moxostoma erythrurum

GOLDEN REDHORSE

GOLDEN REDHORSE - Moxostoma erythrurum

Scientific Name: Moxostoma erythrurum
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 15 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects, invertebrates, algae and detritus
Distribution sampling sites: Map

The golden redhorse is a large sucker that is found generally in medium to large rivers but will migrate into smaller streams during the breeding season each spring. The individuals collected by Fairfax County staff were located near the mouth of streams flowing into the Potomac River.

NORTHERN HOGSUCKER - Hypentelium nigricans

NORTHERN HOGSUCKER

NORTHERN HOGSUCKER - Hypentelium nigricans

Scientific Name: Hypentelium nigricans
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 15 inches but known to grow to 24 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects, microcrustaceans and algae
Distribution sampling sites: Map

The northern hogsucker is an aggressive feeder who will overturn stones and gravel in search of food. Other fish are known to follow feeding hogsuckers to eat any scraps it churns up from the bottom of the stream.

WHITE SUCKER - Catostomus commersoni

WHITE SUCKER

WHITE SUCKER - Catostomus commersoni

Scientific Name: Catostomus commersoni
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size:20 inches, rarely larger
Diet: Insect larvae and small crustaceans
Distribution sampling sites: Map

The white sucker is a common fish found in Fairfax County streams. Its downturned mouth is adapted to feeding on midge larvae and small crustaceans found on the bottom of streams.


References
Jenkins, R. E., N. M. Burkhead, 1994, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia,1079 pgs., American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD

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