Mountain sucker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain sucker |
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The mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) is a type of sucker fish. You can find it across western North America. This fish lives on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. It swims in big rivers like the upper Missouri River, Columbia River, Sacramento River, and Colorado River. Mountain suckers can live in high places, even up to 2,800 meters (about 9,200 feet) high! They are usually less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) long.
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What Does the Mountain Sucker Look Like?
The mountain sucker is a slim fish with a smooth body. Its back and sides are usually olive green to brown. Its belly is white or yellowish. Sometimes, it has darker spots along its sides.
Special Colors for Breeding Males
When it's time to breed, male mountain suckers get special colors. They have a dark red-orange stripe over a dark green stripe on each side. Their fins also turn a red-orange color.
Its Mouth and Size
The name platyrhynchus means "flat snout," but its snout isn't really flatter than other suckers. Its mouth is on the underside of its head. It has big, stretchy lips covered with many small bumps called papillae. The lower lip has a hard plate inside that helps it scrape food. This fish can grow up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. However, most are usually under 20 centimeters (8 inches).
Where Do Mountain Suckers Live?
The mountain sucker lives in many parts of the United States. However, it is very rare in Canada. In the U.S., you can find them on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. This includes the upper parts of the Missouri River, Columbia River, Sacramento River, and Colorado River.
Their Favorite Home
While many sucker fish live in different places, the mountain sucker likes clear streams. These streams usually have a gentle slope. They are often 3 to 15 meters (10-50 feet) wide and less than 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep. The bottom of these streams is usually rocky or gravelly.
Living in the Mountains
Even though they aren't only found in high places, they often live in cool mountain streams. This is why they are called "mountain suckers." They can live as high as 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above sea level. They can even survive in water that is just above freezing! In a stream, you can find them hiding in calm pools or behind rocks and logs.
What Do Mountain Suckers Eat?
Mountain suckers are mostly herbivores. This means they mainly eat plants. Their diet includes algae and tiny plant-like organisms called diatoms. They use their special mouths to scrape these foods off rocks and other surfaces. Sometimes, they will also eat small water bugs, which are invertebrates.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mountain suckers lay their eggs in late spring to early summer. This happens when the water temperature is between 10.5 and 18.8 degrees C. They move into smaller streams to find good spots. They lay their eggs over gravelly areas in the fast-moving water. These spots are usually just upstream from calm pools.
