Family: Catostomidae, Suckers view all from this family
Description To 24" (61 cm). Elongate, cylindrical, caudal peduncle moderately slender; back dusky-olive, sides greenish-yellow with brassy luster; young mottled on sides. Head flattened above; snout blunt; mouth large, ventral; lips thick with many papillae. Fins plain; pelvic axillary scale present; 10-13 dorsal fin rays; 6-8 anal fin rays. Lateral line complete, 55-74 scales; 8-10 scale rows above lateral line; anterior scales crowded.
Related Species Longnose Sucker (C. catostomus) has long, fleshy snout extending beyond mouth; 91-120 lateral line scales; occurs in similar habitat throughout Canada, n. United States to central West Virginia, n. Illinois, central Colorado, s. Idaho, Alaska, and Washington.
Habitat Cool, clear streams and lakes over sand, gravel, or rocks.
Range Canada and n. United States east of Continental Divide to nw. South Carolina, n. Alabama, n. Arkansas, and n. New Mexico.
Discussion The White Sucker is the most common species of this genus in North America. Anglers do not fish for it, but some are taken during spawning runs in large lift nets and in commercial fisheries.
