White sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Where at Shedd?
At Home on the Great Lakes
| Diet | Small invertebrates and plant matter; a bottom feeder |
|---|---|
| Size | Length: Up to 26 inches (65 cm); common length 16 inches (40.7 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | North America |
| Habitat | Freshwaters throughout Canada and eastern United States, west to New Mexico |
Did you know?
- Using its vacuum-like mouth (big lips, no teeth), the white sucker suctions up algae, crustaceans, and insect larvae.
- White suckers are sometimes blamed for eating too many trout eggs, but trout definitely prey on white suckers. So maybe it all evens out!
- You might think of minnows as typical bait fish, but a 12-inch white sucker makes great bait for a muskie fisherman.
- White suckers are a staple food for walleye, northern pike and bowfin.