If you like fishing you can't catch this sucker. This fish is found in a variety of habitats, from glacial lakes and small headwater streams. They feed mainly on macroinvertebrates such as snails, plankton, algae, and small crustaceans. They flip stones and feed on the bottom because these invertebrates may live under them.

 

It has a long, slender body with a head that is broader than the rest of its body. Its head is slightly concave between the eyes. The fish is distributed in Western New York including the Finger Lakes region. In the Mohawk-Hudson system, its distribution is limited to the middle Hudson. It occurs in tributaries in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is found north of latitude 44°. Northern hog suckers are widespread and often abundant in clear, high-gradient streams of small or moderate size.

 

Its max length is 22.5 in. The color of it is cool, with the upper side being dark and Its belly is light. It also has 4 dark saddles. Males mature at age 2-3; females mature around the age 3-4. The spawning occurs in March and April, and the eggs are usually deposited directly on gravel or cobble substrates. After hatching, young individuals remain in the area most of their lives.

 

They flip stones and feed on the bottom of them. Northern hog suckers live for eight to ten years. This fish likes clean creeks and rivers and it is intolerant of pollution.

 

Author: Tyler W

Published: 05/2009

 

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypentelium_nigricans

 

Photo Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2008_DSC07111.JPG