White Sucker Catostomus commersonii
This species was found at 691 bioassessment sites, 111 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 159 fisheries assessment sites, and 50 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 927 distinct sites, or 63% of the 1472 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 2nd most commonly collected species.
The White Sucker was collected in 1436 bioassessment sampling sessions and 433 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 111 rapid bioassessment sessions and 63 presence-only sessions.
The biological assessment program has collected a total of 123,239 individual White Sucker specimens, ranking it the #4 most collected fish.
A slender, fine-scaled sucker that is tinted dark greenish along the back and sides, with a brassy or silvery luster on the sides and a white belly. The dorsal and tail fin are dusky to clear. Breeding males may become very dark colored and develop tubercules over the head, fins and body. The distinctive feature that separates this species from other suckers and redhorses is a complete lateral line with 55-85 small scales. Its lips are fleshy and heavy with many small, wart-like projections. The dorsal fin is straight or slightly concave with 10-13 rays, anal fin with 7 rays, and the pelvic fin with 10-11 rays. Sexual dimorphism may occur in adult brood fish. White Sucker are known to hybridize with closely related catostomids. Adults commonly reach 10- to 16-inches long and weigh up to 2-pounds.
HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found