Suckers

(Family Catostomidae)

Size, Shape, and Color

Of the ten species common to North America, the white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) is probably the most familiar, averaging 12 to 20 inches and one to four pounds. Its most distinctive characteristic is its mouth on the underside of the head, with large, fleshy protrusile lips that help it forage for food.

Basically dark colored on the upper back, suckers range from gray to ruddy brown to black, tapering to a creamy white lower body, with a wide dark band in between. In breeding males the band is quite distinctive and acquires a rosy flush or salmon-colored hue beneath the band. The transformation is highly dramatic and quite sudden.

Suckers are highly prized as food fish. They are excellent smoked, salted, pickled, or for making fish soup. There are a lot of bones to contend with but the firm, flaky and sweet flesh gives them considerable commercial value.

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