| 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
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Carpiodes". FishBase. August 2011 version.
- 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.