Description
Native to Arizona. Body sharply bi-colored, olive-brown above and deep-yellow
below. Scales on upper half of body have dark spots forming faint dashed
lines. Lower lip is about 3 times as thick as upper lip. Dorsal fin
has 10 to 11 rays. Length: 8 to 31 inches. Weight: 4 ounces to over
4 pounds.
Location and
Habitat
Abundant in the Bill William's, Gila, Salt and Verde River systems. Prefer
rivers or streams that have deep and quiet, rocky or gravely pools. Intolerant
of lake conditions created by dams. Spawning is from February to early
July; Eggs are deposited and fertilized in gravely areas.
Food
Desert suckers feed mostly on aquatic insect larvae and algae.
Angling
Fish on the bottom, in deeper pools of rivers and streams with worms or
crickets.
Table
Quality
The meat is firm, white and quite tasty. Intermuscular bones or floating
bones are present, which can be cut out prior to cooking.
