Species profile
Northern Hog Sucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Identify Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 2 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 2,938 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ohio, Tennessee, and North Carolina the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- It uses its large, fleshy lips to flip small rocks and vacuum invertebrates from the stream bottom.
- Reaches about 18 inches in length in ideal conditions.
- Found only in clear, fast-moving streams and rivers of eastern North America.
- Its presence typically signals good water quality — it disappears from polluted streams.
- Can live up to about 11 years in the wild.
Where Northern Hog Sucker are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Northern Hog Sucker
Background
The northern hogsucker is a freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Catostomidae, the suckers. It is native to the United States and Canada where it is found in streams and rivers. It prefers clear, fast-flowing water, where it can forage on the riverbed for crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, algae and detritus.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Northern Hog Sucker article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Northern Hog Sucker?
Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Northern Hog Sucker?
Northern Hog Sucker is Hypentelium nigricans.
Is Northern Hog Sucker regulated for fishing?
Yes — Northern Hog Sucker has fishing regulations in 2 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Northern Hog Sucker?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Northern Hog Sucker along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.