The spotted sucker occurs commonly in the Mississippi River, where it inhabits the backwaters, sloughs and oxbows. It was reported in some of the interior rivers in the late 1890`s and early 1900`s, but it is probably absent in these streams at this time.

The spotted sucker inhabits clear, warm water that has little current and has an abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation with soft bottom that is rich in organic debris. It seems intolerant of turbid water, industrial and agricultural pollutants, and river substrate that is covered with flocculent clay silts. Distribution of this species remains somewhat constant, but numerical abundance continues to decline.

Spotted suckers are chunky and round bodied, coarse-scaled fish with a dark, olive-brown back, coppery green sides and a gray-silver belly. The scales are large with a squarish dark spot at the base, which forms several lengthwise streaks along the body. These parallel stripes set it apart from the other suckers. The mouth is subterminal and horizontal with the rear margin of the lower lip forming an acute V-shape. The lateral line is incomplete containing 42 to 46 scales. A short, concave-shaped dorsal fin contains 11 to 12 rays. Breeding males exhibit two dark stripes separated by a pinkish band along the mid-side and display pronounced tubercules on the snout, about the head and anal fin. Adults commonly are l0 to l6 inches long and weigh from one-half to 2 pounds.

Maturity is reached in the third year of life and the life span extends to about 6 years. Spawning commences in April when water temperature is 55 degrees F and continues through May until the water temperature reaches about 67 degrees F. Shallow riffles over rubble or gravel in moderate current are preferred for spawning. Each gravid female is attended by several males. The semi-adhesive eggs are broadcast at random and hatch in 7 to 12 days. Fecundity is unknown. Growth of the spotted sucker in the Mississippi River ranged from 5 to 19 inches and at 1 to 6 years of age. The 6-year old fish weighed 3 pounds, 13 ounces. Food of spotted sucker consists of cladocerans, copepods, ostrocods and plant materials that includes algae.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.