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Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) — Catostomidae

Sonora sucker

Catostomus insignis
Family: Catostomidae

The Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

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Description

The Sonora sucker is a sucker (Catostomidae) from fresh water of the Gila River drainage in the southwestern United States. The species grows to about 80 cm and has an elongate, yellow-brown body with a thick, underslung, fleshy sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it sucks up algae, small invertebrates and detritus over sand and gravel bottoms of rivers and lakes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sonora sucker?

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

Where does the Sonora sucker live?

The Sonora sucker lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Sonora sucker get?

The Sonora sucker grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Sonora sucker dangerous to humans?

No, the Sonora sucker is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) — Catostomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Brady O'Brien, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) — Catostomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) — Catostomidae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Sonora sucker (Catostomus insignis) — Catostomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Bryce Cowan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sonora sucker sourced
Scientific name
Catostomus insignis
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Sonora sucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Catostomus

More from the family Catostomidae

Fin

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