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Catostomus commersonii (Lacepède, 1803)
White Sucker
Family: Catostomidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

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Map


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Source: Distribution map provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC

Species Information

Large-scaled sucker (usually fewer than 70 scales along the lateral line) with 10-13 (usually 11 or 12) dorsal rays. In profile, the body gradually tapers back form the dorsal fin to the relatively deep caudal peduncle, and the caudal peduncle depth is usually more than half the width of the dorsal fin base. For more information see McPhail (2007). (Source: McPhail, J. D. 2007. The Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. The University of Alberta Press. 620 p.)
Source: McPail, J. D. 2008. The Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. University of Alberta Press, Edmonton.

Biology

Species Biology

Inhabits a wide range of habitats, from rocky pools and riffles of headwaters to large lakes. Usually occurs in small, clear, cool creeks and small to medium rivers. May be found at a depth greater than 45 m (Ref. 1998). Moves to shallower water near sunrise and sunset to feed. Fry (1.2 cm in length) feed on plankton and other small invertebrates; bottom feeding commences upon reaching a length of 1.6-1.8 cm. Preyed upon by birds, fishes, lamprey, and mammals (Ref. 1998)

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.

Distribution

BC Distribution and Notes

The white sucker is an eastern North American species that postglacially colonized the upper Fraser and Skeena drainage systems. Where the largescale and white sucker co-exist, they often hybridize. In eastern North America, the biology of this species is well studied and, presumably, its biology is similar in B.C

Source: Information provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC.
Global Distribution

North America: throughout most of Canada to the Atlantic Coast, south through North Carolina to New Mexico in the USA, becoming less common in the southern High Plains.

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
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Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5YellowNot Listed



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Additional Range and Status Information Links

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