Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Catostomidae (Suckers) > Catostominae
Etymology: Moxostoma: Greek, myxo = to suckle + Greek, stoma = mouth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Jordan.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Temperate; 38°N - 31°N
North America: Mississippi River tributaries on Former Mississippi Embayment from southern Kentucky and southern Arkansas south to Louisiana in the USA; Gulf Slope drainages from Choctawhatchee River in Alabama and Florida to Galveston Bay in Texas in the USA.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 51.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 25.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Inhabits sandy and rocky pools, runs and riffles of small to medium rivers. Also found in impoundments (Ref. 5723, 10294). Feeds on detritus, diatoms, and a wide variety of small invertebrates such as microcrustacea, rotifers, caddisfly larvae, and phantom midge larvae (Ref. 10294).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
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. (Ref. 5723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Gamefish: yes
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