Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Catostomidae (Suckers) > Ictiobinae
Etymology: Carpiodes: Greek, karpos = wrist, part of the skeleton which unites the hand to the fore arm (Ref. 45335); carpio: carpio - carp, in reference to its similarity to that fish (Ref. 10294).
More on author: Rafinesque.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Subtropical; 49°N - 25°N, 112°W - 80°W (Ref. 86798)
North America: Mississippi River basin from Pennsylvania to Montana, south to Louisiana, USA; Gulf Slope drainages from Mississippi River to Rio Grande in Texas and New Mexico, USA; also in Mexico.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 64.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 86798); common length : 34.3 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193); max. published weight: 4.6 kg (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 10 years (Ref. 12193)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Occurs in lakes and pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers (Ref. 86798). Adult feeds on organic detritus (Ref. 10294).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 2011. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 663p. (Ref. 86798)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
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