Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

The northern hogsucker, Hypentelium nigricans, belongs to the Catostomidae family of sucker fish. The fish inhabits the rivers of the Mississippi basin, found from Oklahoma and Alabama northward to Minnesota. It prefers clear, fast streams, where it can forage through pebbles for bottom life, especially aquatic insects. It grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) in length. The northern hogsucker is a very common species that can be found in or next to riffle areas in warm water, medium sized creeks and small rivers. It can also occur in cold water streams, tiny creeks and large rivers and on occasion in reservoirs. The northern hogsucker’s diet mainly consists of insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, diatoms and other small forms of vegetation. While feeding it scrapes of the top surface of rubble, turns over stones on the bottom, and sucks the loosened material which contains a variety of small organisms. These actions produce a unique relationship with some shiner species and smallmouth bass. When the hogsucker, is feeding it causes many organisms to be dislodged. In turn, the other fish species strategically position themselves downstream to feed on the free flowing materials and organisms.

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker

Hog Sucker