River Redhorse

At a glance

River Redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) is an IUCN Least Concern species regulated in 2 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

Confirmed by 192 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Arkansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.

Notable details

• River redhorse is the largest sucker in the redhorse group, sometimes exceeding two feet in length.
• It has the most powerful pharyngeal teeth of any redhorse species, purpose-built for crushing freshwater mussels.
• They inhabit large, fast-moving rivers with clean gravel or bedrock substrate.
• River redhorse are considered rare or absent across much of their former range due to habitat degradation.
• They spawn communally over gravel shoals in spring, like others in the genus.

Where River Redhorse are seen

• Arkansas27 iNat obs
• Minnesota27 iNat obs
• Wisconsin23 iNat obs
• Quebec21 iNat obs
• Ohio18 iNat obs
• Missouri13 iNat obs

Protected status

• SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): River Redhorse. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.

Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.

Background

The river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) is a species of freshwater fish endemic to the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. Their weight ranges from 2-10 lbs. It is typically found in clear, large creeks and rivers, though it is sometimes also found in lakes. They are sometimes speared or caught with hook and line using crayfish or worms as bait.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's River Redhorse article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.