White Sucker

Catostomus commersoni

True to their name, these fishes suck in their food -- mostly larval insects and other creatures -- from the bottoms of freshwater streams and lakes. They have single rows of comblike teeth on bones in their throats. They are closely related to minnows, but their anal fin is farther back and many have short dorsal fins. The White Sucker is extremely common in the eastern United States. Its mouth is on the underside of its head, and it has thick lips covered with fleshy bumps like the tread on an automobile tire.

Look For : An elongate sucker with bumpy lips and scales that are smaller near front of body. Juveniles have 3 blotches on each side.

Length : 24".

Habitat : Small freshwater creeks to larger rivers, lakes.

Range : Canada and northern U.S. east of Continental Divide, south to South Carolina, northern Alabama, and northern New Mexico.