Carpiodes
Genus of fishes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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| 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 | |
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)