Sucker fish belong to the family Catostomidae and dwell in freshwater settings around the globe. More than 79 distinct species of sucker fish have already been discovered, with the earliest evidence dating back 50 million years.
Although suckerfish are bony fish, they’ve traditionally been an essential food source. They may be found in streams and rivers throughout America and other nations such as China.
Sucker fish is distinct from the species Hypostomus plecostomus, which is popularly termed the ‘sucker mouth catfish.’ The species is extensively employed in aquariums and is usually termed the ‘janitor fish’ since it cleans up algae.
Remoras are another fish family frequently nicknamed ‘sucker fish’ because of their sucker-like organ that enables them to adhere to substantial marine predators like sharks.
Long-lived fish: A suckerfish termed the bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is claimed to be the longest surviving freshwater fish on Earth! Research that used carbon dating determined one bigmouth buffalo fish lived to be 112 years old!
Also Read: Basking shark
Sucker Fish Classification and Scientific Name
The family Catostomidae includes sucker fish, which are members of the Cypriniformes order. As of November 2020, there are 79 described species spanning 13 genera.
Examples of scientific names for various sucker fish species include:
- Black red horse: Moxostoma duquesni
- Catostomus comm., the white sucker.
In addition, there are the following particular genera to consider:
- Carpiodes
- Catostomus
- Chasmistes
- Cycleptus
- Deltistes
- Erimyzon
- Hypentelium
- Ictiobus
- Minytrema
- Moxostroma
- Myxocyprinus
- Thoburn
- Xyauchen
How large do suckerfish get?
Sucker fish may grow to reach up to roughly 3 feet (1 meter) long. In general, animals grow to a height of one to two meters. The most notable species of sucker fish is the bigmouth buffalo, which can reach a maximum of 79 pounds (36 kg) (36 kg). An example of a lesser sucker species would be the blue sucker, which has an average mass of 5.5 pounds.
The term ‘suckers’ is derived from their lips, which are thick and assist the fish in adhering to the bottoms of streams and other freshwater environments.
Sucker Fish Distribution, Habitat
The great majority of suckerfish species reside in freshwater streams and lakes throughout the United States and North America. They may be especially numerous in slower running courses of rivers or in reservoirs. Outside of North America, fish of the Catostomidae family may be found in Russia, and a solitary species resides in China.
What is the greatest danger to the Sucker Fish?
The significant dangers to Sucker Fish are pollution and dams.
What do suckerfish eat?
Are Sucker Fish vegetarians, carnivores, or omnivores?
Sucker Fish are Omnivores, meaning they consume both plants and other animals.
Suckers are bottom feeders that eat a variety of different kinds of things. Its diet will consist of algae, zooplankton (which includes insects), crustaceans (which provide for tiny invertebrates), and plants (which includes algae and crustaceans).
Species of Sucker Fish
In the world of sucker fish, a wide range of genetic variations has been discovered, totaling 79 distinct species. The following are some of the most famous:
The White sucker
The white sucker is found in streams and lakes in the Mississippi watershed. Typically, a tiny sucker species weighing little more than 2 pounds, white suckers have sometimes reached 8 pounds. Thanks to its broad distribution, the white sucker is frequently called the ‘common sucker.’
River Redhorse
River red horse is another sucker fish that was initially reasonably prevalent over the Mississippi basin. However, in recent decades their range has reduced. Suckers are frequently associated with the term “red horse,” although several other species go by this moniker. The golden and silver red horses and the short head and bigger red horses are some more instances.
Blue Suckers
Considered Near Threatened by the IUCN. Like other sucker fish, its population looks to be diminishing because of pollution and dam development that has disrupted their preferred settings.
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