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Bigmouth sucker (Catostomus leopoldi) — Catostomidae

Bigmouth sucker

Catostomus leopoldi
Family: Catostomidae

The Bigmouth sucker (Catostomus leopoldi) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bigmouth sucker is a sucker (Catostomidae) from clear rivers, streams and lakes of northern Mexico. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silver-brown body with an inferior, fleshy, protrusible sucker mouth with thick lips. As a bottom-dweller it sucks small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus from sand, gravel and stones. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigmouth sucker?

The Bigmouth sucker has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bigmouth sucker live?

The Bigmouth sucker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bigmouth sucker get?

The Bigmouth sucker grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Bigmouth sucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigmouth sucker is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Leopolds zuigkarper sourced
English name
Bigmouth sucker sourced
Scientific name
Catostomus leopoldi
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Fleshylip sucker; Matalote del Bavispe verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
30 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Catostomus

More from the family Catostomidae

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