Catostomus discobolus Cope, 1871
Bluehead sucker
Catostomus discobolus
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Catostomidae (Suckers), subfamily: Catostominae
Max. size:  41 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Snake River system (Columbia River drainage), Wyoming, and Idaho; Lake Bonneville basin, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah; south through upper Colorado river drainage (Grand Canyon and above), Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona in the USA. Two subspecies were recognized: Catostomus discobolus discobolus and Catostomus discobolus jarrovii.
Diagnosis:  Blue head (darkest on adult; no blue in Little Colorado River, Arizona population), slender caudal peduncle, predorsal scales usually 50 or more, and 78-122 scales on lateral line (Ref. 86798).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky riffles and runs of small to large rivers (Ref. 5723, 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 26 October 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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