Shortnose sucker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shortnose sucker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris) is a special and rare type of fish. It belongs to the family called Catostomidae, which are known as "suckers" because of their mouth shape.
This fish lives in the southern parts of Oregon and northern California in the United States. It's so rare that the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's in danger of disappearing forever if we don't protect it.
Contents
About the Shortnose Sucker
What Does It Look Like?
This fish can grow to be about half a meter long, which is like the length of a big ruler! It has a large head and thin, soft lips. The bottom lip has a small notch or cut in it.
How Long Do They Live?
Shortnose suckers can live for a long time. Some have been seen to live up to 33 years! They become old enough to have their own babies when they are between four and six years old.
Where Do Shortnose Suckers Live?
Preferred Habitat
Shortnose suckers like to live in certain kinds of lakes. They prefer lakes that are:
- A bit cloudy or "turbid" (not perfectly clear).
- Shallow.
- A little bit salty or "alkaline."
- Full of oxygen.
- Cool in the summer, but not super cold.
Spawning and Young Fish
When it's time for the fish to lay their eggs, which is called spawning, they usually go to rivers. They look for parts of the river called "riffles." These are shallow, fast-moving areas with lots of gravel or rocks at the bottom.
In the past, they sometimes laid eggs along lake shores, but this doesn't happen very often anymore. The eggs stay in the water for about two weeks. The baby fish, called "juveniles," hatch between April and June. These young fish usually stay close to the shoreline, whether there are plants there or not.
Where They Are Found Today
Today, you can find shortnose suckers in a few specific places. These include:
- Upper Klamath Lake and the rivers that flow into it.
- The Lost River.
- Clear Lake.
- The Klamath River.
- Gerber Reservoir, which is part of the Klamath Project.
Why Are They Endangered?
Habitat Loss
One big reason shortnose suckers are in trouble is that their spawning areas have been destroyed. Many of these important places were lost when dams were built on local rivers. Dams change how rivers flow and can cover up the gravelly areas where the fish lay eggs.
Water Quality Issues
Upper Klamath Lake, where many of these fish live, sometimes has problems with its water. There can be big growths of tiny green organisms called "cyanobacteria" (sometimes called blue-green algae). These growths can use up a lot of the oxygen in the water, which makes it hard for fish to breathe.
Land Changes
Changes to the land along rivers and lakes also hurt the fish. When people change the land, it can damage or destroy the places where the shortnose suckers live and find food.
Cultural Importance
The shortnose sucker and other similar fish were a very important food source for local tribes for a long time. Even today, these fish are considered sacred animals by these tribes. The local Native American Nation, the Klamath Tribes, call the shortnose sucker Qapdo.
Images for kids
-
A shortnose sucker fish.
See also
In Spanish: Chasmistes brevirostris para niños
