Hypentelium nigricans (Lesueur, 1817)
Northern hog sucker
Hypentelium nigricans
photo by Lyons, J.

Family:  Catostomidae (Suckers), subfamily: Catostominae
Max. size:  61 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 480.0 g
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  North America: Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from New York in USA and Ontario in Canada to Minnesota and south to Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana in USA; from Mohawk-Hudson River to Altamaha River in USA; from Pascagoula River to Comite River in USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits rocky riffles, runs and pools of clear creeks and small rivers. Occasionally found in large rivers and impoundments (Ref. 5723, 10294). Feeds on immature stages of benthic insects and snails (Ref. 10294). It feeds by disturbing the stream bottom with its large snout and sucking up organisms that it dislodges (Ref. 84357).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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