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Spotted Sucker | |
 Spotted Sucker Florida Range: Spotted suckers occupy streams of northern Florida, from the Perdido River, eastward to the Suwannee River system. Overall distribution: Spotted suckers are widely distributed throughout the central, and southeastern United States and reach southern Canada. Identification: This species and the redhorse suckers (genus Moxostoma) may be readily separated from other Florida suckers (the carpsuckers, Carpiodes, and chubsuckers, Erimyzon) by their elongate, cylindrical bodies and distinctly sucker-like mouths located well on the underside of the head. Spotted suckers and the redhorse suckers have protrusible lips which they employ to pick up food from the bottom and it is these extendable lips which provide them with the amusing local name of buglemouth bass. Spotted suckers may be identified by the presence of eight to twelve parallel rows of dark spots which run along the sides of the body. Overall body coloration is brassy or bronze, with the upper back shading to olive or brownish and the bottom being gray or white. Breeding males may have two dark bands running along the sides, separated by a pinkish or reddish band along the midline of the sides. Life History and Ecology: Spotted suckers are bottom-feeders, sucking up food items with their protrusible lips. They consume copepods, cladocera, true midge larvae, aquatic earthworms, biting midge larvae, water mites, aquatic beetles, mayfly nymphs, dragonflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and rarely, fish. Spawning migrations begin during January, and reproduction occurs through the spring. They may live about five or six years and reach a maximum length of about 24 inches and maximum weight of three pounds. In Florida, spotted suckers are strictly river fishes, occurring in moderate-sized creeks and large rivers. They may also be abundant in river-associated habitats such as oxbow lakes, riverine swamps and backwaters. Status: Spotted suckers are common in appropriate habitats in Florida and face no immediate threats to their existence. However, they are known to be intolerant of excess siltation and pollution. If the rivers of northern Florida receive increasing amounts of soil erosion, urban runoff or pollutants, this species may undergo dramatic population reductions. The presence of viable populations in our streams may be considered an indicator of good water quality. Fishery: Like most suckers, spotted suckers are very good, albeit bony, food fishes. Joshua Laerm, in his book, Fishes of the Okefenokee Swamp, said this is one of the best fish for preparing by braising and suggested cooking it slowly in white wine with carrots and onions. Although very rarely taken by hook-and-line, they can be netted, snagged or gigged where these methods are legal. Persons interested in taking suckers should carefully check the rules of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For the "Sucker Fish Regulations" Brochure click here. | Index By Common Name Airbreathing catfish  
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