Carpiodes
| Carpiodes | |
|---|---|
| Carpiodes carpio | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Catostomidae |
| Subfamily: | Ictiobinae |
| Genus: | Carpiodes Rafinesque, 1820 |
| Type species | |
| Catostomus cyprinus Lesueur, 1817
| |
Carpiodes is a genus of suckers found in freshwater in North America,[1] containing species with exceptionally long lifespans for their body size.[2] Long neglected as 'rough fish' in traditional fisheries, in 2025 it was discovered that the three species of carpsucker can live more than 50 years.[2]
Characteristics
The fish in this genus have a long and hook-shaped dorsal fin. They have a silver body and a white to orange pelvic fin. They have a complete lateral line, and have a two-chambered gas chamber.[3] The three species of carpsucker are long-lived freshwater animals, with known maximum lifespans of 52 years (Quillback), and 56 years (Highfin carpsucker and River carpsucker).[2]
Species
There are currently three recognized species in the genus:[1]
- Carpiodes carpio (Rafinesque, 1820) (River carpsucker)
- Carpiodes cyprinus (Lesueur, 1817) (Quillback)
- Carpiodes velifer (Rafinesque, 1820) (Highfin carpsucker)
References
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Carpiodes". FishBase. August 2011 version.
- ^ a b c Lackmann, Alec R.; Lyons, John; Kuber, Kimberly A.; Parks, Timothy P.; Walchak, Daniel L.; Bielak-Lackmann, Ewelina S.; Vaughan, Charles R.; Robertson, Sarah D.; Woodling, John D.; Clark, Mark E. (2025). "Otolith Age Analysis Reveals Lifespans Greater Than 50 Years for the Three Species of Carpsucker (Carpiodes spp.) in Wisconsin". Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries. 5 (6) e70136. doi:10.1002/aff2.70136. ISSN 2693-8847.
- ^ Page, Lawrence M.; Burr, Brooks M. (2011). Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 301. ISBN 978-0-547-24206-4.