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Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Shorthead Redhorse - Moxostoma macrolepidotum

  • A Shorthead Redhorse seined at the Arrow Creek Confluence with the Missouri River
  • Shorthead Redhorse Color Plate
  • Shorthead Redhorse Black-and-White Plate
  • Shorthead Redhorse Photograph
  • Shorthead Redhorse Outline
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Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
 

General Description
The shorthead redhorse is native to Montana and typically found in the shallow, swift waters of larger rivers in our eastern drainage. Its maximum size in Montana is about 5 pounds. Their natural silver-green coloration is offset by bright red fins. Shorthead redhorse are frequently caught on baited hooks.

Diagnostic Characteristics
Sides golden or silvery, back olive to brown with golden reflections, underside white to yellow. No other Montana sucker has a red tail fin.

General Distribution
Montana Range


 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 171

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



Habitat
Moderately large rivers with sand, gravel or rocky bottom, intermediate temperatures, and swift current.

Citations & Sources
  • Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
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Citation for data on this website:
Shorthead Redhorse — Moxostoma macrolepidotum.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCJC10110.aspx
 
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