Longnose sucker

The longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) is a species of freshwater fish in the Catostomidae Family of Order Cypriniformes. It is native to North America from the northern United States to the top of the continent. It is also found in Russia in rivers of eastern Siberia, making it one of only two species of sucker native to Asia (the other is the Chinese Myxocyprinus asiaticus).

Description

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 to 25 inches (38 to 64 cm) long and weigh between 1 and 2 pounds (0.45 and 0.91 kg).

Longnose suckers are often confused with white suckers, as they appear very similar. However, longnose suckers can be distinguish by their comparatively finer scales.

Diet Habits

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.