About Catostomus ardens Jordan & Gilbert, 1881
Description: Catostomus ardens is a large sucker fish that can reach a maximum length of 25.5 inches (65 cm). It has a relatively elongated body for a sucker, with a slightly elevated back between its head and dorsal fin. Its mouth sits entirely beneath the snout and has thick lips; the upper lip bears eight rows of coarse papillae, with the second and third rows counting from the inside being noticeably larger. In color, this species is generally blackish on its upper side, with a faint pattern of blotches or spots. A narrow rosy band runs along the anterior portion of each flank, while the underside is white. Its long anal fin is positioned far back on the body, and its tip extends all the way back to the base of the caudal fin. The anal fin has seven rays, and the dorsal fin has 13 rays. Recent genetic studies have identified deep, morphologically cryptic population subdivision, with approximately 4.5% sequence divergence, between populations in the drainages of the ancient Snake River and the Bonneville Basin. Distribution: The Utah sucker (Catostomus ardens) is native to the upper Snake River and former Lake Bonneville areas of western North America. Across its native range, it occupies a wide variety of habitats, including lakes, rivers, and streams, tolerating both warm and cold water. It can be found over substrates of silt, sand, gravel, or rocks, and prefers habitats close to vegetation.
