Catostomus columbianus
Bridgelip Sucker
NS
G5
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Cypriniformes (Carps and Minnows)
Catostomidae (Suckers)
Catostomus
Catostomus columbianus (Bridgelip Sucker)
Description
This species account was compiled from
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Characters
Body shape: Elongated.
Distribution
North America: Pacific Slope from Fraser River drainage in British Columbia, Canada south through Columbia River drainage in British Columbia and in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Nevada, USA and Harney River basin in eastern Oregon, USA.
Habitat Associations
Freshwater. demersal. Found in: streams, lakes.
Biology
Inhabits lake margins; backwaters, rocky riffles and sand or silt runs of creeks and small to medium rivers. Probably feeds on algae and bottom invertebrates (Ref. 1998). Preyed upon by birds and mammals; young may be preyed upon by some salmonids (Ref. 1998). Spawning in British Columbia probably occurs late spring (Ref. 1998). Edible but not currently eaten (Ref. 1998).
Max length: 30.0 cm TL; common length: 16.0 cm TL.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; nonguarders (open water/substratum egg scatterers); parental care: none.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2011-10-26. Resilience: Medium (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: of no interest.
References
Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973) Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184: xi+1-966.
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr (1991) A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
Balon, E.K. (1975) Reproductive guilds of fishes: a proposal and definition. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 32(6):821-864.
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