Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Suckers > Mountain Sucker
Mountain Sucker - Catostomus platyrhynchus
Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
General Description
The mountain sucker has a more limited habitat than other Montana suckers. It is virtually limited to running waters east of the Divide. It also is the smallest sucker in Montana with its largest specimens having a length of about 9 inches.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Back and upper sides are dusky or dark green with black specks; may have dark mottling shaped like saddles across the back; lower body whitish. Both sexes have a reddish orange band along sides during breeding season; band is brighter, longer, and wider in male. Mouth is so long it sometimes exceeds head width. See Snyder and Muth (1990) for a guide to the identification of larvae and early juveniles. No other Montana sucker has a notch in each corner of mouth.
Distribution
Montana Range
Habitat
Cold, clear streams with rubble, gravel or sand bottoms; sometimes turbid streams but seldom lakes. Found principally in riffle habitat in middle Missouri River study.
Food Habits
Mostly algae, aquatic plants and invertebrates obtain from the cobbles and pebbles from the stream bottom.
Ecology
Young prefer slower side channels or weedy backwaters. Seldom exceed 6 inches in length as adults.
Reproductive Characteristics
Sexually mature : males in 2 -3 yrs., females in 4 years. Spawns June - July when water temperatures exceed 50 degrees F. Incubation period probably short.
Citations & Sources
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
Mountain Sucker — Catostomus platyrhynchus. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on January 31, 2009, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCJC02160.aspx
|
|
Sign Up for our Newsletter
*Includes current store specials/coupons and
Fish Tails stories
|
Enter Your Story to
Fish Tails and earn yourself a $20 gift certificate
Want to share your favorite fish story with other anglers?
Email me your picture and story (the fish that got away stories, funny stories, bragging rite stories, extreme stories).
If selected we will give you a $20 gift certificate and your story in our quarterly newsletter, and feature it on our website.
|
|
