Longnose sucker

{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | image = longnose sucker.jpg | image2 = LongnoseSucker.jpg | status=LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref= <ref>{{cite iucn |author=Bogutskaya, N. |year=2021 |title=''Catostomus catostomus'' |article-number=e.T62192A159616602 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T62192A159616602.en |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref> | taxon = Catostomus catostomus | authority = J. R. Forster, 1773 | synonyms = *''Cyprinus catostomus'' Forster, 1773 *''Cyprinus rostratus'' Tilesius, 1813 *''Catostomus longirostrum'' Lesueur, 1817 *''Catostomus hudsonius'' Lesueur, 1817 *''Cyprinus hudsonius'' (Lesueur, 1817) *''Catostomus communis'' Lesueur, 1817 *''Catostomus forsterianus'' Richardson, 1823 *''Catostomus aurora'' Agassiz, 1850 *''Catostomus griseus'' Girard, 1856 *''Catostomus nanomyzon'' Mather, 1886 | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = * ''C. c. catostomus'' * ''C. c. cristatus'' Cope, 1883<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E7MTAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Catostomus+catostomus+cristatus%22|title=Cenozoic Geology of Idaho|last1=Bonnichsen|first1=Bill|last2=Breckenridge|first2=Roy M.|date=1982|publisher=Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Mines and Geology|language=en}}</ref> * ''C. c. lacustris'' }}

The '''longnose sucker''' ('''''Catostomus catostomus''''') is a species of cypriniform freshwater fish in the family Catostomidae. It is native to North America from the northern United States to the top of the continent. It is also found in Russia in rivers of eastern Siberia, and is one of only two species of sucker native to Asia (the other is the Chinese ''Myxocyprinus asiaticus'').

==Description== The body of the longnose sucker is long and round with dark olive or grey sides and top and a light underside. They are up to {{cvt|64|cm|in}} in total length and weigh up to {{cvt|3.3|kg|lb}}.<ref name=FishBase>{{FishBase | genus=Catostomus | species=catostomus | year=2019 | month=May}}</ref>

Longnose suckers are easily confused with white suckers (''Catostomus commersoni''), which appear very similar. However, longnose suckers can be distinguished by their comparatively finer scales.<ref name=michdnr>{{cite web|title=White Sucker, ''Catostomus commersoni'' and Longnose Sucker, ''Catostomus catostomus'' |url=http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_18958-45693--,00.html|website=Michigan Department of Natural Resources|publisher=State of Michigan|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref>

The longnose sucker is distinctive for its physical characteristics. First, the longnose sucker, as the name suggests, has an elongated snout which helps to distinguish the species from other suckers. The elongated snout can be 1/3 of the total body length. The longnose sucker has a circular suction disc (large lips) on the ventral side, located near the mouth. These large lips are an adaptation that allows the longnose sucker to attach itself to rocks and other substrate types in a fast-moving environment. The longnose sucker also has large and prominent scales that cover the body. These large scales provide protection from potential predators.

== Distribution and ecology == The longnose sucker inhabits cold, clear waters, including lakes, pools, rivers and streams, and occasionally also brackish waters. In North America, it ranges north from the Columbia, Delaware, Missouri and Monongahela river basins, as well as the Great Lakes basin.<ref name=FishBase/> The Russian population, which sometimes is referred to as the Siberian sucker (''C. c. rostratus''), is found in the Yana, Indigirka, Alazeya and Kolyma river basins.<ref>{{cite journal| author=Dyldin, Y.V. | author2=L. Hanel | author3=R. Fricke | author4=A.M. Orlov | author5=V.I. Romanov | author6=J. Plesnik | author7=E.A. Interesova | author8=D.S.Vorobiev | author9=M.O. Kochetkova | year=2020 | title=Fish diversity in freshwater and brackish water ecosystems of Russia and adjacent waters | journal=Publ. Seto Mar. Biol. Lab. | volume=45 | pages=47–116 | doi=10.5134/251251 | doi-access=free | hdl=2433/251251 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>

It is a bottom-feeding fish, eating aquatic plants, algae, and small invertebrates. They are preyed upon by larger predatory fish, such as bass, walleye, trout, northern pike, muskellunge and burbot.<ref name="ADFG">{{cite web |last=Mansfield |first=Kelly |date=2004 |title=Longnose Sucker |url=https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/wns/longnose_sucker.pdf |website=Alaska department of fish and game }}</ref>

== Relationship with humans == They are fished for game and food and also used as bait to catch the larger predators. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record sits at {{cvt|2.97|kg|lboz}} taken from the St. Joseph River in Michigan on December 2, 1989 by angler Ben Knoll.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sucker, longnose (''Catostomus catostomus'') |url=https://igfa.org/member-services/world-record/common-name/Sucker,%20longnose |website=igfa.org |publisher=International Game Fish Association |access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Fisheries/reports/2021-Master-Angler-Awards-Table.pdf|title=2021 Master Angler Awards|website=Michigan Department of Natural Resources|access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref>{{rp|101–102}}

The longnose sucker is a freshwater fish native to North America, particularly found in rivers and lakes. Its relationship with humans is based around recreational fishing.

In recreational fishing, longnose suckers are occasionally targeted by anglers for sport or as bait fish. They provide a challenge to anglers as they have strong fighting abilities. Longnose suckers are typically not sought after for human consumption.<ref name="ADFG" />

The longnose sucker plays a crucial and vital ecological role as they are bottom feeders. As bottom feeders, the longnose suckers consume detritus and algae while stirring up the sediment. The bottom feeding behavior helps maintain water quality and helps improve the health of the aquatic ecosystem.<ref name="ADFG" />

As for conservation, the longnose sucker faces habitat loss, water pollution, and competition from invasive species. Trout Unlimited, a conservation organization, is focused on habitat restoration and research initiatives to protect and enhance longnose sucker populations.<ref name="USGS">{{cite web |title=NAS |url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=345 |website=USGS}}</ref>

== Breeding process == During the spring, when water temperatures rise, longnose suckers migrate to their spawning grounds in rivers and streams. Males develop tubercles on their heads and bodies, indicating their readiness to breed. They compete for the attention of females by displaying vibrant colors and engaging in energetic courtship behaviors. Once a female selects a mate, they engage in an elaborate spawning ritual. The female releases her eggs while the male fertilizes them externally. After spawning, the adults return to their regular habitats, leaving the eggs to develop and hatch. The young longnose suckers then begin their journey, growing and adapting to their environment. The breeding life of longnose suckers contributes to the biodiversity and vitality of freshwater ecosystems.<ref name="USGS" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{cite web|last=Rook|first=Earl J.S.|date=15 October 1999 |url=http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/fish/catostomuscat.html|archive-date=20 August 2016|title=''Catostomus catostomus'' Longnose Sucker|website=Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky...The Natural History of the Northwoods|publisher=The Swanson Party: A Boundary Waters Compendium|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820122617/http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/fish/catostomuscat.html}} * {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120154419/http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/longnosesucker.html|url=http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/longnosesucker.html|archive-date=20 January 2008|website=Sea Grant Fish of the Great Lakes|title=Longnose Sucker ''Catostomus catostomus''|publisher=University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute|date=5 February 2002|author=Seaman}} * {{Commons category-inline|Catostomus catostomus}}

Category:Catostomus Category:Freshwater fish of the Arctic Category:Freshwater fish of the United States Category:Fish of the Great Lakes Category:Taxa named by Johann Reinhold Forster Category:Fish described in 1773