Longnose sucker

Longnose sucker
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Catostomidae
Genus:	Catostomus
Species:	C. catostomus
Binomial name
Catostomus catostomus J. R. Forster, 1773
Subspecies
C. c. catostomus C. c. cristatus Cope, 1883[2] C. c. lacustris
Synonyms
Cyprinus catostomus Forster, 1773 Cyprinus rostratus Tilesius, 1813 Catostomus longirostrum Lesueur, 1817 Catostomus hudsonius Lesueur, 1817 Cyprinus hudsonius (Lesueur, 1817) Catostomus communis Lesueur, 1817 Catostomus forsterianus Richardson, 1823 Catostomus aurora Agassiz, 1850 Catostomus griseus Girard, 1856 Catostomus nanomyzon Mather, 1886

The longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) is a species of cypriniform freshwater fish in the family Catostomidae. 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, and this one of only two species of sucker native to Asia (the other is the Chinese Myxocyprinus asiaticus).

The body of the longnose sucker is long and round with dark olive or grey sides and top and a light underside. They are up to 64 cm (25 in) in total length and weigh up to 3.3 kg (7.3 lb).^[3]

Longnose suckers are easily confused with white suckers (Catostomus commersoni), which appear very similar. However, longnose suckers can be distinguished by their comparatively finer scales.^[4]

The longnose sucker is distinctive for its physical characteristics.

First, the longnose sucker, as the name suggests, has an elongated snout which helps to distinguish the species from other suckers. The elongated snout can be 1/3 of the total body length. The longnose sucker has a circular suction disc (large lips) on the ventral side, located near the mouth. These large lips are an adaptation that allows the longnose sucker to attach itself to rocks and other substrate types in a fast-moving environment. The longnose sucker also has large and prominent scales that cover the body. These large scales provide protection from potential predators.

The longnose sucker inhabits cold, clear waters, including lakes, pools, rivers and streams, and occasionally also brackish waters. In North America, it ranges north from the Columbia, Delaware, Missouri and Monongahela river basins, as well as the Great Lakes basin.^[3] The Russian population, which sometimes is referred to as the Siberian sucker (C. c. rostratus), is found in the Yana, Indigirka, Alazeya and Kolyma river basins.^[5]

It 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.^[6]

They are fished for game and food and also used as bait to catch the larger predators. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record sits at 6 pounds 9 ounces (3.0 kg) taken from the St. Joseph River in Michigan on December 2, 1989 by angler Ben Knoll.^{[7][8]: 101–102}

The longnose sucker is a freshwater fish native to North America, particularly found in rivers and lakes. Its relationship with humans is based around recreational fishing.

In recreational fishing, longnose suckers are occasionally targeted by anglers for sport or as bait fish. They provide a challenge to anglers as they have strong fighting abilities. Longnose suckers are typically not sought after for human consumption.^[6]

The longnose sucker plays a crucial and vital ecological role as they are bottom feeders. As bottom feeders, the longnose suckers consume detritus and algae while stirring up the sediment. The bottom feeding behavior helps maintain water quality and helps improve the health of the aquatic ecosystem.^[6]

As for conservation, the longnose sucker faces habitat loss, water pollution, and competition from invasive species. Trout Unlimited, a conservation organization, is focused on habitat restoration and research initiatives to protect and enhance longnose sucker populations.^[9]

During the spring, when water temperatures rise, longnose suckers migrate to their spawning grounds in rivers and streams. Males develop tubercles on their heads and bodies, indicating their readiness to breed. They compete for the attention of females by displaying vibrant colors and engaging in energetic courtship behaviors. Once a female selects a mate, they engage in an elaborate spawning ritual. The female releases her eggs while the male fertilizes them externally. After spawning, the adults return to their regular habitats, leaving the eggs to develop and hatch. The young longnose suckers then begin their journey, growing and adapting to their environment. The breeding life of longnose suckers contributes to the biodiversity and vitality of freshwater ecosystems.^[9]

• Rook, Earl J.S. (15 October 1999). "Catostomus catostomus Longnose Sucker". Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky...The Natural History of the Northwoods. The Swanson Party: A Boundary Waters Compendium. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016.
• Seaman (5 February 2002). "Longnose Sucker Catostomus catostomus". Sea Grant Fish of the Great Lakes. University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008.
• Media related to Catostomus catostomus at Wikimedia Commons