Spotted sucker

Spotted sucker
Spotted sucker
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclass: Osteichthyes
Class: Actinopterygii
Subclass: Neopterygii
Infraclass: Teleostei
Superorder: Ostariophysi
Order: Cypriniformes
Suborder: Cobitoidea
Family: Catostomidae
Genus: Minytrema
D. S. Jordan, 1878
Species: M. melanops
Binomial name
Minytrema melanops
(Rafinesque, 1820)

The spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) is a fish that is frequently encountered but rarely found in large numbers. The fish gets its name from 8–12 parallel rows of dark spots at the scale bases on the back and sides.

The fish has thin lips and a horizontal mouth. These fish can reach a length of about 19 inches (480 mm).[1]

Spotted suckers are widely found throughout the central, and southeastern United States and reach southern Canada.[2]

The spotted sucker inhabits deep pools of small to medium rivers over clay, sand or gravel. They are occasionally found in creeks and large rivers.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Spotted Sucker (Minytrema melanops)". US Army Corps of Engineers. http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/fishing/Spotted_Sucker.htm. Retrieved 10 January 2010. 
  2. ^ "Spotted Sucker". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/Freshwaterfish_SpottedSucker.htm. Retrieved 10 January 2010. 
  3. ^ "Minytrema melanops". Fishbase.org. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2996. Retrieved 10 January 2010.