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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.




Catostomus catostomus
Catostomus catostomus
(Longnose Sucker)
Fishes
Native Transplant

Copyright Info
Catostomus catostomus (Forster, 1773)

Common name: Longnose Sucker

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Scott and Crossman (1973); Smith (1979); Smith (1985); Page and Burr (1991). Size: 64 cm; some populations are dwarfed (Lee et al. 1980 et seq.)

Size: 64 cm; some pop. are dwarfed

Native Range: Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific basins throughout most of Canada and Alaska; Atlantic Slope south to Delaware River drainage, New York; Great Lakes basin; upper Monongahela River drainage, Maryland and West Virginia; Missouri River drainage south to northeastern and central Colorado. Also in Arctic basin of eastern Siberia (Page and Burr 1991).

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe NS logo
Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Catostomus catostomus are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
CO1865200914Arkansas Headwaters; Big Thompson; Colorado Headwaters; Colorado Headwaters-Plateau; Gunnison; Lower Gunnison; North Fork Gunnison; Rio Grande Headwaters; Uncompahgre; Upper Arkansas; Upper Arkansas-John Martin Reservoir; Upper Colorado; Upper Gunnison; Upper White
CT199219921Housatonic
MT199019901Fisher
NE195619561Lower Lodgepole
WY198019943Big Sandy; Upper Green; Upper Green-Slate

Table last updated 12/12/2024

† Populations may not be currently present.


Means of Introduction: Bait bucket release and contamination of trout stock (Brown and Graham 1954; Woodling 1985). Beckman (1952) reported a recent intentional introduction of this species into the Colorado River drainage in Colorado. No method of introduction given for Connecticut. First found in that state in 1992 (Whitworth 1996).

Status: Established in Colorado and Wyoming. Collected in Connecticut.

Impact of Introduction: Hybridization between native flannelmouth and bluehead sucker, and non-native white sucker Catostomus commersoni, Longnose Sucker C. catostomus, and Utah sucker C. ardens is occurring. Some combinations are fertile and will lead to introgression (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2010).

Remarks: Tyus et al. (1982) gave a distribution map of the this species in the upper Colorado basin.

References: (click for full references)

Baxter, G.T., and J.R. Simon. 1970. Wyoming fishes. Wyoming Game and Fish Department Bulletin 4, Cheyenne, WY.

Beckman, W.C. 1952. Guide to the fishes of Colorado. University of Colorado Museum, Boulder, CO.

Brown, C.J.D., and R.J. Graham. 1954. Observations on the longnose sucker in Yellowstone Lake. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 83:38--46.

Hubert, W. 1994. Exotic fish. 158-174 in Parrish, T.L., and S. H. Anderson, eds. Exotic species manual. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Laramie, WY.

Jones, D.J. 1963. A history of Nebraska's fishery resources. Nebraska Game, Forestation, and Parks Commission.

Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980 et seq. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Scott, W.B., and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Bulletin 184. Ottawa.

Smith, C.L. 1985. The inland fishes of New York state. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

Smith, P.W. 1979. The fishes of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, IL.

Tilmant, J.T. 1999. Management of nonindigenous aquatic fish in the U.S. National Park System. National Park Service. 50pp.

Tyus, H.M., B.D. Burdick, R.A. Valdez, C.M. Haynes, T.A. Lytle, and C.R. Berry. 1982. Fishes of the upper Colorado River basin: distribution, abundance, and status. 12-70 in Miller, W.H.,  H.M. Tyus, and C.A. Carlson, eds. Fishes of the upper Colorado River system: present and future, Western Division, American Fisheries Society.

Whitworth, W.R. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut, Bulletin 114.

Woodling, J. 1985. Colorado's little fish: a guide to the minnows and other lesser known fishes in the state of Colorado. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO.

Other Resources:
FishBase Summary

Author: Pam Fuller, and Matt Neilson

Revision Date: 7/2/2019

Peer Review Date: 2/6/2012

Citation Information:
Pam Fuller, and Matt Neilson, 2024, Catostomus catostomus (Forster, 1773): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=345, Revision Date: 7/2/2019, Peer Review Date: 2/6/2012, Access Date: 12/12/2024

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2024]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [12/12/2024].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.