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The shorthead redhorse is a relatively widespread species of the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Three subspecies are recognized. One is widespread in the Ohio basin, another in the Ozark uplands and adjacent areas, and the third throughout the remainder of the species’ range. Their combined distribution extends throughout the Great Lakes region north to the Hudson Bay, east to Montreal and Vermont, and south to South Carolina and the extreme northern portions of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Found as far west as Oklahoma in the southern U.S., Montana in the northern U.S. and Alberta in Canada. A small disjunct population occurs at a point on the border between Oklahoma and Texas. This is by far the most wide ranging and common species of sucker as well as being the most colorful. The fins range from bright orange to deep red and the sides from silver to gold or bronze. The belly is lighter, ranging from dusky yellow to milk white. The fins contain only soft rays and there are no teeth. Typical of the redhorse is the single dorsal fin located near the middle of the back. The edge of the dorsal fin on the shorthead is emarginate or concave, distinguishing it from the silver redhorse, Moxostoma anisurum, in which the top edge of the dorsal fin is rounded. As its name indicates the shorthead has an unusually short head (17-19 percent of the fish’s total length). There are no scales on the head. It has some value as a sport fish today and is actively sought by a good number of anglers. The flesh of the shorthead is tasty and sweet, but contains many small bones.
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Fish Description
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Scientific Name:
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Family Name:
Catostomidae Family
Also Known As:
northern redhorse, northern shorthead redhorse, common redhorse, red sucker, short-headed mullet, redfin, redfin sucker, bigscale sucker
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