Highfin Carpsucker
(Carpiodes velifer)
Highfin, and to a lesser extent other carpsuckers, often swim just below the surface with their back and dorsal fin sticking out of the water.
Description
Highfin carpsuckers have a small sub-terminal (ending below tip of snout) mouth. The back is highly arched and the lateral line is nearly straight. They are silvery on the sides with a white belly and the lower fins can be orange or yellow. The tale and dorsal fins are gray to silver in color. The first several rays of the dorsal fin form a very long quill. They differ from the quillback carpsucker by having a fleshy knob on the front edge of the lower lip (right photo) and are much taller bodied than the river carpsucker.
Habitat and Habits
Highfin carpsuckers are found in large to moderate sized rivers. They tend to stay in somewhat shallower water than river carpsuckers and do not go in as small of streams as quillback carpsuckers. In Ohio highfin carpsuckers are found in the Ohio River and its larger tributary streams.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Highfin carpsuckers spawn between early April and late May. The eggs are randomly deposited over a sand or gravel bottom. No parental care is given.