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Minytrema melanops

(spotted sucker)

Overview

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Special Concern

Threat status

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Czech:

Pakaprovec Teckovan, Pakaprovec tečkovaný

Common Names in Danish:

Plettet sugekarpe

Common Names in English:

spotted sucker

Common Names in Mandarin Chinese:

小孔亚口鱼, 小孔亞口魚

Common Names in Russian:

Pyatnistyi chukuchan, чукучан пятнистый

Description

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Physical Description

Species Minytrema melanops

Body: Mouth and snout: Inferior, no teeth on jaws . No barbels . Body patterning, color, and scales : Spotted (but see breeding adults ). Body usually light olive or tan with a dark squarish spot at the anterior or each scale on the flank. Spots arranged in horizontal rows . Spots fade away on whitish belly. Fins dusky , especially on outer edge of dorsal fin, or white (especially paired fins ). 42-46 (usually 47-51) cycloid lateral line scales ; 0-38 of these pored. Body shape and size: Body fusiform and elongate ; round in cross section . Typically 300-450 mm (12-18 in) TL ; maximum about 500 mm (20 in).

Fins: Tail, dorsal and other fins: Forked tail. Single dorsal with no spines and 11-12 rays. Pelvic fins abdominal . Adipose fin absent. Anal fin with 7 rays.

Distinguishing characteristics: The spotted sucker is unique in having an absent or incomplete lateral line and a relatively thin lower lip. It can also be distinguished by its number of dorsal rays (11-12). See also similar species information.

Breeding adults: Males with tubercles on snout, head , and anal fin (photos). Some males reported to have two black lateral stripes separate by a pinkish stripe .

Juveniles : Similar to adults, but spots may be less distinct (photo).

Habitat

Inhabits long deep pools of small to medium rivers over clay , sand or gravel . Occasionally found in creeks , large rivers and impoundments .

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Catostomus Melanops • Catostomus melanops Rafinesque • Catostomus melanops Rafinesque, 1820 • Ictiobus cyprinella (Valenciennes • Minytrema melanopsSclerognathus cyprinella Valenciennes

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

First described: Rafinesque C.S . Annals of nature, or annual synopsis of new genera and species of animals, plants etc. discovered in North America. First annual number for 1820 Lexington. pp. 20, 1820.

Last scrutiny: Data last modified by FishBase 25-May-1994

Similar Species

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Fish Name Dorsal Fin Lower Lip Body Pattern Lateral Line Scales Other Characteristics Similarity Index Black Redhorse 12-14 rays, margin concave or falcate, rarely straight Obtuse angle or straight margin, plicate Solid color 43-51, usually 44-47, all pored Pelvic rays 8-11 but almost always one or both with 10; caudal peduncle depth >59% of caudal peduncle length; tail slate-colored in life Moderately similar Blue Sucker 28-33 rays, anterior rays elongated Acute angle, papillose Solid color, darkly pigmented 53-58, all pored Darkly pigmented fins Moderately similar Golden Redhorse 10-15 rays, usually 13, margin concave or falcate, rarely straight Obtuse angle, plicate Solid color 37-45, usually 40-42, all pored Pelvic rays 9; caudal peduncle depth usually >63% of caudal peduncle length; tail slate-colored in life Moderately similar Greater Redhorse 11-15 rays, usually 13-14, margin slightly concave to slightly convex Obtuse angle, plicate Solid color or with faint spots at anterior base scales in some fish 41-45, usually 42-44, all pored Head rounded with a rounded snout, not overhanging lips ventrally; tail orange or red in life; scales around caudal peduncle 15-16 Moderately similar Longnose Sucker 9-11 rays, marging straight to slightly concave Acute angle, papillose Solid color or faint blotches, breeders with lateral stripe 91-115, usually >95, all pored Snout distinctly extends past upper lip Moderately similar Northern Hog Sucker 9-12 rays, usually 11-12, margin falcate Acute angle, papillose Dark mottling and large dark irregular blotches 46-54, usually 47-51, all pored Top of head with concavity between eyes; other species have this area flat or convex Moderately similar River Redhorse 13-15 rays, margin straight or slightly concave Obtuse angle or straight margin, plicate Solid color or with faint spots at anterior base scales in some fish 41-46, usually 42-44, all pored Head rounded and bulky with a blunt or slightly rounded snout, overhanging lips ventrally in adults; tail orange or red in life; scales around caudal peduncle 12-13 Moderately similar Shorthead Redhorse 11-15 rays, usually 12-14, margin falcate Straight margin, plicate with a few papillae Solid color or with faint spots at anterior base scales in some fish 39-46, usually 42-44, all pored Head tapered to a pointed or slightly blunt snout, not overhanging lips ventrally; tail orange or red in life; scales around caudal peduncle 12-13 Moderately similar Silver Redhorse 14-17 rays, usually 15, margin usually straight or slightly convex Acute or right angle, papillose Solid color 38-46, usually 41-42, all pored Tail slate-colored in life Moderately similar Spotted Sucker 11-12 rays, margin straight to falcate Obtuse angle, relatively thin, plicate Dark spots at anterior base of scales; lateral stripes in some breeders 42-46, 0-38 pored Spotes lined up in horizontal rows; limited to area above anal fin in small juveniles N/A White Sucker 10-13 rays, margin slightly concave to slightly convex Acute angle, papillose Solid color or faint blotches, breeders with lateral stripe 55-85, usually 60-70, all pored Snout barely extends past upper lip Moderately similar

Members of the genus Minytrema

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 1 species and subspecies in this genus:

M. melanops (Spotted Sucker)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal March 02, 2008:

Identifiers

Last Revised: 7/14/2012