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Sharpfin chubsucker (Erimyzon tenuis) — Catostomidae

Sharpfin chubsucker

Erimyzon tenuis
Family: Catostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sharpfin chubsucker (Erimyzon tenuis) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sharpfin chubsucker is a sucker of the family Catostomidae from southeastern North America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate body with a downward-pointing, fleshy sucker mouth with which it sucks food from the bottom. It lives in pools and quiet backwaters of creeks and small rivers over sand or silt bottoms, often near water plants. It feeds on small invertebrates, algae and detritus sifted from the bottom. The species is little fished and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpfin chubsucker?

The Sharpfin chubsucker has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Sharpfin chubsucker live?

The Sharpfin chubsucker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sharpfin chubsucker get?

The Sharpfin chubsucker grows to a maximum of about 33 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Sharpfin chubsucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpfin chubsucker is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpfin chubsucker edible?

The Sharpfin chubsucker is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke zuigkarper sourced
English name
Sharpfin chubsucker verified
Scientific name
Erimyzon tenuis
Family
Catostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Average length (cm)
21.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Erimyzon

More from the family Catostomidae

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