SUCKERS
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 QUILLBACK
Carpiodes cyprinus
Florida Range: The quillback inhabits the larger rivers of the
Panhandle, from the Escambia River eastward to the Apalachicola River
system.
Overall distribution: This sucker ranges widely over much of the
eastern United States and southern Canada.
Identification: Eight species of suckers occur in Florida,
including two species of Carpiodes carpsuckers, the quillback and the
highfin carpsucker. As their common name implies, these silvery, deep-bodied
fish resemble common carp. However, both carpsuckers may be distinguished
from carp by the absence of barbels, and lack of spines in dorsal and anal
fins of the carpsuckers. In both carpsuckers, the mouth is situated on the
underside of the head and the snout extends forward beyond the jaws; also,
the first ray of the dorsal fin may be very long, forming an elevated
filament. Quillback and highfin carpsuckers are very similar in
appearance, but they may be separated by looking at the lower lip. The
quillback does not have a nipple-like knob at the middle of the lower lip,
while the highfin carpsucker has a small nipple at this location. Both
carpsuckers may be distinguished from other Florida suckers by body shape.
The carpsuckers have deep, slab-sided bodies, while our other suckers are
more elongate or somewhat cylindrical in shape.
Life History and Ecology: Quillbacks are benthic fish, feeding on
the bottom and ingesting insect larvae, other organisms and organic
detritus. They reproduce during March and April. Females may produce from
15,000 to 360,000 eggs apiece, which are broadcast over gravel shoals or
deep stretches of sand. They may live as long as ten or eleven years, and
may reach a maximum length of about 26 inches and maximum weight of 12
pounds.
Quillbacks typically inhabit moderately large streams, but may also live
in creeks if permanent pools are present. Characteristically they reach
greatest numbers in biologically productive large streams with permanent
pools and gravel bottoms. However, in Florida they are restricted to the
larger rivers and generally do not enter the smaller tributary streams.
Status: Although not as abundant as the highfin carpsucker, the
quillback is a frequently collected fish of the Escambia, Choctawhatchee and
Apalachicola rivers. In these rivers the species seems to be in no danger of
population decline.
Fishery: The carpsuckers are commercial fishes in
some areas of the central United States. They are good to eat, but are bony.
Suckers can be taken by snagging, netting and gigging where these methods
are legal. Small suckers are important food items for game fishes.
 HIGHFIN CARPSUCKER
Carpiodes velifer
Florida Range: Highfin carpsuckers inhabit the Escambia, Yellow
and Choctawhatchee rivers of northwestern Florida.
Overall distribution: Along the Gulf Coast, these suckers range
from Louisiana eastward to the Choctawhatchee River of Florida. In the west,
it ranges northward from Louisiana to the Texas-Oklahoma border and north to
Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the east it ranges from Florida, northward to
North Carolina and Ohio.
Identification: Along with its cousin, the quillback, the highfin
carpsucker superficially resembles the common carp. However, both
carpsuckers may easily be separated from carp by the absence of barbels and
lack of spines in dorsal and anal fins of the two carpsuckers. Both
carpsuckers have the mouth positioned on the underside of the head and the
snout extends forward beyond the jaws. In addition, the first ray of the
dorsal fin may be very long, forming an elevated filament. Quillback and
highfin carpsuckers are quite alike in appearance, but may be separated by
looking at the lower lip. The highfin carpsucker bears a small,
nipple-like structure, or knob, at the middle of the lower lip, while
the quillback lacks this nipple. Both carpsuckers may be distinguished from
other Florida suckers by body shape. Carpsuckers are deep-bodied and
compressed from side-to-side, while other Florida suckers are more elongate
or somewhat cylindrical. General body color is silvery or brassy on the
sides, with the upper surfaces somewhat darker and the lower body white or
yellowish.
Life History and Ecology: Although it is known to be a
bottom-feeder, little else is known regarding the food habits of this
species. In Alabama highfin carpsuckers have been observed in breeding
condition during April through June. Spawning occurs over deep gravel
riffles or runs. In Ohio, females produced from 41,600 to 62,300 eggs
apiece. Highfin carpsuckers may live as long as eight years and reach a
maximum size of about 20 inches and three pounds.
In Florida highfin carpsuckers are restricted to moderate-to-large sized
rivers and do not enter the smaller tributary creeks, but in other areas
they may do so. They prefer clean waters and apparently are intolerant of
siltation and turbidity.
Status: The highfin carpsucker is common in the Escambia and
Choctawhatchee rivers and appears to face no obvious threats to its
existence. However, it does appear to be susceptible to siltation and other
forms of environmental degradation.
Fishery: Although carpsuckers are bony, they are good to eat, and
in the central United States have been harvested as commercial fishes. Small
suckers are ecologically valuable as food for game fish. Suckers may be
taken by snagging, netting or gigging where these methods are legal.
 LAKE CHUBSUCKER
Erimyzon sucetta
Florida Range: Statewide
Overall distribution: Two major distribution patterns exist, the
first following the Gulf and Atlantic coasts from eastern Texas, eastward to
southeastern Virginia. The second path extends northward, up the Mississippi
River system from Louisiana to Wisconsin, Michigan and extreme southeastern
Canada.
Identification: The lake chubsucker and its close relative, the
sharpfin chubsucker, are chubby, heavy-bodied fish, but although they are
somewhat compressed from side-to-side, they are not nearly so slab-sided as
the carpsuckers and also lack the long, elevated dorsal fins of the latter.
The remaining Florida suckers, the spotted sucker, and the three redhorses,
have much more elongate and streamlined body shapes than the chubsuckers. In
addition, while the mouth of the chubsuckers is located somewhat beneath the
head, the mouth of the spotted sucker and the redhorse suckers is definitely
positioned beneath the head in a down-turned fashion. Adult males have a
bilobed (two-lobed) anal fin. In Florida, this species can only be
confused with the sharpfin chubsucker, with which it occasionally occurs in
the western Panhandle. As its name suggests, the sharpfin chubsucker has a
much more pointed dorsal fin than does the lake chubsucker, the dorsal fin
of which is somewhat rounded in profile. General body
coloration of lake chubsuckers is dark bronze, brown or olive on the upper
surfaces and lighter bronze over the sides, with the undersides whitish.
Life History and Ecology: Lake chubsuckers are omnivores, feeding
upon both plants and animals. Feeding on the bottom, they take aquatic
insects, fish eggs, crustaceans, algae and other plants. In most areas,
including Florida, the peak spawning season is in the spring and early
summer. In Florida, reproduction may take place over a long period of time;
depending upon the geographic area, spawning may occur from December through
October. About 2,000 to 20,000 eggs are produced by each female. Lake
chubsuckers may attain an age of eight years and a maximum size of about 18
inches in length. In Lake Panasoffkee, some individuals reached a length of
15.5 inches and a weight of 2.2 pounds.
While most species of suckers prefer to live in flowing streams, lake
chubsuckers prefer quiet or sluggishly flowing waters, usually being most
abundant where the bottom is soft, with much organic debris, and in areas of
dense aquatic vegetation. Lake chubsuckers have been recorded from a wide
variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, impoundments, oxbows,
backwaters, floodplains, sloughs, bayous, roadside ditches, springs,
millponds, rivers, creeks, canals, wet prairies, borrow pits, quarry pits
and swamps.
Status: Lake chubsuckers are common in Florida and face no obvious
threats to their existence. However, in other areas of the United States
they have become less numerous in areas where excessive siltation has
occurred.
Fishery: In some areas of the county this species is taken with
nets, or by snagging or gigging during spring spawning runs, and they may
sometimes be caught on small flies or live bait. Like most other suckers,
they are good to eat but are bony. Suckers may be prepared by frying,
broiling or baking. They serve a valuable ecological role as food for game
fish such as largemouth bass.
 SHARPFIN CHUBSUCKER
Erimyzon tenuis
Florida Range: Sharpfin chubsuckers inhabit streams of the western
Panhandle, from the Perdido River to the Yellow River.
Overall distribution: Southeastern Louisiana, and eastward in
Coastal Plain streams to the Choctawhatchee River drainage of Alabama.
Identification: The sharpfin chubsucker is superficially similar
to the lake chubsucker, with which it is occasionally found. As the common
name implies, the dorsal fin is sharply pointed, while that of the
lake chubsucker is rounded in profile. Usually the first ray of the dorsal
fin is longer than the base of this fin, while the first ray is usually
shorter than the fin base of the lake chubsucker. Both of these chubsuckers
are robust, oblong and somewhat compressed fishes; however, they are not
nearly as deep-bodied or slab-sided as the carpsuckers and they have shorter
dorsal fins (containing less than 20 rays) than the carpsuckers. Conversely,
most other Florida suckers (spotted sucker and several redhorse suckers) are
much more elongate and slenderer than the chubsuckers, and although the
mouth of the chubsuckers is slightly below the head, it is not nearly as far
beneath the head as that of the spotted sucker and the redhorse suckers. The
anal fin of the male sharpfin sucker is not bilobed as is that of the male
lake chubsucker.
Life History and Ecology: Little is known about the life style of
this sucker. Breeding takes place in the spring, probably March and April.
They may reach a length of 16 inches and may live seven or eight years. This
is a fish of streams rather than quiet waters; however, it does not prefer
the swifter waters favored by most suckers.
Sharpfin chubsuckers are typically found in pools and backwaters of
creeks and rivers, especially where current flow is reduced and soft
substrates occur with aquatic vegetation. They are rarely found in the
larger rivers, where they would have to compete with the better adapted
redhorses, spotted sucker and carpsuckers.
Status: Sharpfin chubsuckers are common in appropriate habitats in
Florida and face no obvious threat to their existence.
Fishery: As with most other suckers, this species is good to eat,
but bony. Where legal, they may be taken by netting, gigging or
snagging. The young undoubtedly provide forage for predatory fishes, such as
chain pickerel, redfin pickerel, and largemouth bass.
 SPOTTED SUCKER
Minytrema melanops
Florida Range: Spotted suckers occupy streams of northern Florida, from
the Perdido River, eastward to the Suwannee River system.
Overall distribution: Spotted suckers are widely distributed throughout
the central, and southeastern United States and reach southern Canada.
Identification: This species and the redhorse suckers (genus Moxostoma)
may be readily separated from other Florida suckers (the carpsuckers,
Carpiodes, and chubsuckers, Erimyzon) by their elongate,
cylindrical bodies and distinctly sucker-like mouths located well on the
underside of the head. Spotted suckers and the redhorse suckers have
protrusible lips which they employ to pick up food from the bottom and it is
these extendable lips which provide them with the amusing local name of
buglemouth bass. Spotted suckers may be identified by the presence of
eight to twelve parallel rows of dark spots which run along the sides of the
body. Overall body coloration is brassy or bronze, with the upper back
shading to olive or brownish and the bottom being gray or white. Breeding
males may have two dark bands running along the sides, separated by a
pinkish or reddish band along the midline of the sides.
Life History and Ecology: Spotted suckers are bottom-feeders, sucking up
food items with their protrusible lips. They consume copepods, cladocera,
true midge larvae, aquatic earthworms, biting midge larvae, water mites,
aquatic beetles, mayfly nymphs, dragonflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and
rarely, fish. Spawning migrations begin during January, and reproduction
occurs through the spring. They may live about five or six years and reach a
maximum length of about 24 inches and maximum weight of three pounds.
In Florida, spotted suckers are strictly river fishes, occurring in
moderate-sized creeks and large rivers. They may also be abundant in
river-associated habitats such as oxbow lakes, riverine swamps and
backwaters.
Status: Spotted suckers are common in appropriate habitats in Florida and
face no immediate threats to their existence. However, they are known to be
intolerant of excess siltation and pollution. If the rivers of northern
Florida receive increasing amounts of soil erosion, urban runoff or
pollutants, this species may undergo dramatic population reductions. The
presence of viable populations in our streams may be considered an indicator
of good water quality.
Fishery: Like most suckers, spotted suckers are very good, albeit bony,
food fishes. Joshua Laerm, in his book, Fishes of the Okefenokee Swamp,
said this is one of the best fish for preparing by braising and suggested
cooking it slowly in white wine with carrots and onions. Although very
rarely taken by hook-and-line, they can be netted, snagged or gigged
where these methods are legal. Persons interested in taking suckers
should carefully check the rules of the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission.
 RIVER REDHORSE
Moxostoma carinatum
Florida Range: In Florida the river redhorse is known only from the
Escambia River at the western end of the Panhandle.
Overall distribution: In Gulf Coast rivers this species ranges eastward
from southeastern Louisiana to northwestern Florida. From this region it
ranges northward to Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and southeastern
Canada.
Identification: This robust, cylindrical sucker may be separated from
other similar Florida suckers by its red tail fin. The dorsal and
other fins may also be red or reddish. The dorsal fin has a straight or
slightly concave margin and the tail fin has a pointed upper lobe which
usually is slightly longer than the rounded lower lobe. Crescent-shaped
dark spots may be visible on the scales of the back and sides. Overall body
color is olive to brownish across the back, with silvery or bronze sides and
a white underside.
Life History and Ecology: River redhorse feed primarily on molluscs such
as mussels and clams, and their enlarged, molar-shaped, internal pharyngeal
teeth are specially adapted for crushing the hard shells of such bivalves.
In Alabama they fed heavily upon the introduced Asiatic clam Corbicula,
and also upon aquatic insects such as mayflies, midges and caddisflies. Also
in Alabama, spawning occurred in April, females producing about 6,000 to
23,000 eggs apiece. Construction of a nest prior to the spawning event is a
characteristic behavior of many kinds of fish, such as some of the minnows
and sunfishes. However, the river redhorse is the only species of sucker
which constructs a nest. Males make nests on gravel shoals by using the
head, mouth and tail to dig a depression four to eight feet in diameter.
After the nest is completed the male positions himself over the nest, facing
upstream. When a female approaches, the male preforms a courtship display by
rapidly swimming to-and-fro across the nest. Curiously, another male then
joins the original male in this dance. Then the female is positioned between
the males and the males press closely against her. When the trio are
together, the eggs and milt are released, and the fertilized eggs are buried
in the gravel. River redhorse may live as long as twelve years and reach a
length of 30 inches and a weight of 13.5 pounds.
Normally inhabitants of medium to large size rivers, they may also enter
tributary streams and have been observed in reservoirs. They prefer clean
rivers with sand, gravel or cobblestone bottoms and swift currents.
Status: Within Florida, it is very rare, and intensive recent sampling of
the Escambia River has failed to locate this species, thus it may not now
occur in our state. However, it has been collected in the Alabama portion of
the river. Generally speaking, river redhorse are usually uncommon or rare
throughout much of their geographic range, although they may still be
abundant in some rivers outside. They have disappeared from some areas and
have been much reduced in numbers in others. Impoundment, pollution and
siltation have been factors in its decline. River redhorse are specialized
for feeding on molluscs, and the reduction of mussel populations in large
river systems may have adversely affected them. Molluscs, except the Asiatic
clam (Corbicula), are uncommon in the Florida portion of the
Conecuh-Escambia River system, and this lack of native molluscs may diminish
the attractiveness of this river to this fish.
Fishery: Where they maintain abundant populations (in other states) they
are popular sport fish. Typically they are pursued by anglers during the
breeding season when the suckers are concentrated. Techniques used to
capture them include snaring with wire hoops, snagging with treble hooks,
gigging, spearing, netting, and bow hunting. River redhorse are very edible,
although like most suckers, they are bony.
 BLACKTAIL REDHORSE
Moxostoma poecilurum
Florida Range: All major river systems in the western Panhandle, from the Perdido River, eastward to the Choctawhatchee River system.
Overall distribution: Eastern Texas, eastward to the Choctawhatchee River
of Florida. Ranges northward from the Gulf Coast to Arkansas, Tennessee and
northwestern Georgia.
Identification: The blacktail redhorse may be readily separated from all
other Florida suckers by the color pattern of the tail fin. The lower
lobe of the tail fin is bordered lengthwise by a white band. Above this
white edge is a parallel black band which extends from the base of the tail
to the rear edge of the fin. Otherwise, this elongate, cylindrical,
moderately compressed sucker superficially resembles the spotted sucker,
river redhorse and greyfin redhorse. General body coloration is bronze to
brownish over the back, with silvery sides and a white bottom. Color of all
fins, except the tail, varies from reddish to white.
Life History and Ecology: Details of biology and ecology apparently have
not been thoroughly investigated. Spawning takes place in shoal areas of
small streams from March to May. Two or three males may spawn with one
female. They may reach 20 inches in length and weigh 3.1 pounds.
Blacktail redhorse inhabit both large rivers and their tributary streams
and may sometimes be found in reservoirs. Bottom types in typical streams
may vary from soft sand or silt to gravel and rock.
Status: Blacktail redhorse are abundant in moderate-size streams and
large rivers of northwestern Florida and apparently face no immediate
threats to their continued existence.
Fishery: Where legal, sport fishing for suckers with gigs or nets
is popular and blacktail redhorse are an important component of this
fishery. However, you should check the rules of the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission before using these methods in your area.
 GRAYFIN REDHORSE
Moxostoma (undescribed species)
Florida Range: Apalachicola River system, including the Chipola River.
Overall distribution: The grayfin redhorse is restricted to the
Apalachicola River drainage of Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
Identification: As its name implies, this sucker has plain dusky or
gray fins. Florida’s other Moxostoma suckers, the blacktail
redhorse and river redhorse, have distinctively colored fins. The lower
portion of the tail fin is black and white in the blacktail redhorse, and
the tail fin is red in the river redhorse. In addition, neither of these two
suckers occur together with the grayfin redhorse. The grayfin redhorse does
somewhat resemble the spotted sucker, with which it does co-occur. However,
the spotted sucker is readily identified by the numerous black spots along
its sides.
Life History and Ecology: Most of our knowledge of the life history of
the grayfin redhorse has come from investigations conducted in Georgia,
where food items included various aquatic insects such as caddisflies and
mayflies, and also molluscs. In addition, a substantial amount of organic
detritus was also eaten. Reproduction occurred from March to May, and
females produced an average of 13,000 eggs apiece. They may live to six
years of age, and may reach 20.5 inches in length and weigh three pounds.
Throughout its limited range it inhabits a wide variety of stream types,
ranging from small streams to large rivers. Although it has been collected
from reservoirs, it rarely inhabits standing waters, and the impoundment of
many sections of rivers within the Apalachicola River system has been a
cause of its decline in some areas. It has been found in both clear and
turbid waters, in sluggish to moderate velocity currents, and over sand,
silt, gravel, rock rubble and bedrock.
Status: Although its abundance has been reduced elsewhere, primarily by
impoundments, it is in no immediate danger of extinction in Florida.
Preservation of high quality habitat, such as the Chipola River, will be the
key to maintaining viable populations in Florida.
Fishery: Suckers are good food fish, and may be harvested by gigging,
nets, or portable impoundments where legal. Before attempting to use
these methods, you should carefully check the current fishing regulations of
the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as much of the range of this
species in Florida (Chipola River) is closed to these techniques.
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Quillback