FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats : Species Information : Freshwater Fish Identification : Quillback

Suckers: Quillback 

Quillback
(Carpiodes cyprinus)

Florida Range: The quillback inhabits the larger rivers of the Panhandle, from the Escambia River eastward to the Apalachicola River system.

Overall distribution: This sucker ranges widely over much of the eastern United States and southern Canada.

Identification: Eight species of suckers occur in Florida, including two species of Carpiodes carpsuckers, the quillback and the highfin carpsucker. As their common name implies, these silvery, deep-bodied fish resemble common carp. However, both carpsuckers may be distinguished from carp by the absence of barbels, and lack of spines in dorsal and anal fins of the carpsuckers. In both carpsuckers, the mouth is situated on the underside of the head and the snout extends forward beyond the jaws; also, the first ray of the dorsal fin may be very long, forming an elevated filament. Quillback and highfin carpsuckers are very similar in appearance, but they may be separated by looking at the lower lip. The quillback does not have a nipple-like knob at the middle of the lower lip, while the highfin carpsucker has a small nipple at this location. Both carpsuckers may be distinguished from other Florida suckers by body shape. The carpsuckers have deep, slab-sided bodies, while our other suckers are more elongate or somewhat cylindrical in shape.

Life History and Ecology: Quillbacks are benthic fish, feeding on the bottom and ingesting insect larvae, other organisms and organic detritus. They reproduce during March and April. Females may produce from 15,000 to 360,000 eggs apiece, which are broadcast over gravel shoals or deep stretches of sand. They may live as long as ten or eleven years, and may reach a maximum length of about 26 inches and maximum weight of 12 pounds.

Quillbacks typically inhabit moderately large streams, but may also live in creeks if permanent pools are present. Characteristically they reach greatest numbers in biologically productive large streams with permanent pools and gravel bottoms. However, in Florida they are restricted to the larger rivers and generally do not enter the smaller tributary streams.

Status: Although not as abundant as the highfin carpsucker, the quillback is a frequently collected fish of the Escambia, Choctawhatchee and Apalachicola rivers. In these rivers the species seems to be in no danger of population decline.

Fishery: The carpsuckers are commercial fishes in some areas of the central United States. They are good to eat, but are bony. Suckers can be taken by snagging, netting and gigging where these methods are legal. Small suckers are important food items for game fishes.

For the "Sucker Fish Regulations" Brochure click here.