Longnose Sucker - Catostomus catostomus
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S5
Agency Status
USFWS:
none
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
CFWCS Tier:
3
General Description
The sucker with the greatest statewide distribution is the longnose sucker. It is found in all three of our major drainages and from mountainous streams to plains reservoir habitats. In Montana the largest weigh about 5 pounds. Longnose suckers are most abundant in clear, cold streams. In the springtime, spawning migrations into small tributaries are common and males develop bright red colors on their bodies. Longnose suckers are one of the most frequently caught fish by Montana anglers.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Back, upper sides, and head to below the eye dark olive to slate; underparts white or yellow. Breeding males are nearly jet black on upper half of head and body and may have red midside band. Has 9 to 12 rays in dorsal fin and more than 15 scales above lateral line.
Distribution
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 228
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powell, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Yellowstone
Migration
Spawning fish usually move upstream or from lakes into tributary stream. Fish also move into tributary streams.
Habitat
Cold, clear streams and lakes; sometimes moderately warm waters and turbid waters. (FWP) Spawns over loose gravel beds in riffle areas.
Food Habits
Diet includes considerable algae, midge larvae, and most aquatic invertebrates.
Ecology
Formation of Lake Koocanusa by Libby dam has been very favorable to longnose sucker populations. Longnose suckers x white sucker hybrids reported in Montana.
Reproductive Characteristics
Sexually mature males in 4 years, females in 5 years. Spawns April - early July at 54-59 degrees F. Incubation : 10-20 days. Middle Missouri River populations spawn mid April - mid June with peak in May.
Citations & Sources
- Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.