Blacktail Redhorse
Moxostoma poecilurum
Eastern Creek Chubsucker
Erimyzon oblongus
About
A modest bottom feeder of clear streams, the creek chubsucker spends most of its life quietly turning over rocks in search of food, only to break into a surprising spawning ritual once a year.
Also known as: creek chubsucker
Appearance
A small, plain-bodied freshwater fish. Juveniles carry a solid dark stripe running along their sides, which fades as they grow into unmarked adults. Breeding males become more brightly colored and grow small, horn-like bumps on the head.
Habitat
Found in clear freshwater streams across eastern North America, in vegetated riffles, runs, and pools. Adults favor slow pools, spring pools, and backwaters, while young fish live in small headwater trickles.
Behaviour
A bottom feeder that turns over rocks while foraging for small crustaceans, insect larvae, algae, and organic matter. Before spawning in spring, fish move upstream to gravel beds just above riffles, where males defend territory and females signal readiness by digging with their snouts. Unlike most suckers, creek chubsuckers often spawn in trios, with two males pressed against a single female.
Did you know?
Unlike most other sucker species, which spawn in pairs, creek chubsuckers commonly spawn in trios, with two males flanking a single female.
Log it in Into the Blue
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