Chasmistes liorus Jordan, 1878
June sucker
Chasmistes liorus
photo by Sandra J. Raredon / Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Div. of Fishes

Family:  Catostomidae (Suckers), subfamily: Catostominae
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 40 years
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater, non-migratory
Distribution:  North America: Utah Lake and its tributaries in Utah, USA. Two subspecies were recognized: Chasmistes liorus liorus from Utah Lake; and Chasmistes liorus mictus may have arisen as a hybrid between Chasmistes liorus liorusand Chasmistes ardens and replaced the original form of Chasmistes liorus.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Formerly most common in deep waters of Utah Lake. Used tributaries of lake for spawning (Ref. 5723, 86798). Adults are pelagic and feed on aquatic invertebrates in the mid-water column. Juveniles inhabit emergent vegetation, apparently as refuge from predators (Ref. 35293).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 02 November 2011 (A2be) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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