Jacks Fork River Access.
Media
Scientific Name
Hypentelium nigricans
Family
Catostomidae (suckers) in the order Cypriniformes (carps, minnows, and loaches)
Description
The northern hog sucker is a medium-sized, slender-bodied sucker with a large, square, bony head. The head is concave between the eyes. The mouth is at the tip of snout on the bottom. The lips are highly protrusible and covered with bumps. The eye is much closer to the rear edge of the gill cover than it is to the tip of the snout. There are usually 4 dark crossbars. The tail is forked.
Other Common Names
Hogsucker
Hog Molly
Box Head
Size
Total length: 8 to 15 inches; maximum about 17 inches.
Where To Find
Abundant and widely distributed in Ozarks. Range extends northeastward from the Ozarks into prairie tributaries of the upper Mississippi River. Also found in Moniteau Creek (Moniteau County) and Cedar Creek (Boone and Callaway counties).
Habitat and Conservation
The northern hog sucker is one of the most abundant and widely distributed stream fishes in the Ozarks. It inhabits permanent streams with moderate to swift current, clear water, and a gravel or rubble bottom. It is usually found in riffles but also occurs in pools with current. This species’ coloration makes it almost invisible when in rests on a gravel stream bed.
Food
An energetic feeder, overturning rocks and stirring up the bottom as it forages for immature aquatic insects and other bottom life with its fleshy, sucking lips.
Status
A nongame fish.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Individuals can live for 11 years. Northern hog suckers spawn in April or early May, near the heads of gravelly riffles.
Human Connections
This fish is seldom taken on a baited hook but may be caught by gigging, snagging, and snaring. It's a less desirable food fish than other suckers, since much of its bulk is made up of the bony head, so there is less usable meat.
Ecosystem Connections
Other fishes, especially the smallmouth bass, longear sunfish, and various minnows, commonly follow foraging hog suckers to feed on the small organisms exposed by the hog suckers' energetic rooting.
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Media Gallery
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Caption
Northern hog sucker, Hypentelium nigricans
Credit
Lance Merry
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Image
Credit
Jim Rathert
Right to Use
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Credit
Jim Rathert
Right to Use
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Similar Species
Similar Species
Where to See Species
This area is mostly forested and provides access for floating and fishing the Big Piney River. Amenities include a parking area and canoe launch ramp.
This area provides fishing and boat access to the Meramec River.
Schlicht Springs Access offers public access to the Gasconade River. Facilities and features include individual primitive camping sites, privy, boat ramp, and picnic area.
About Fishes in Missouri
Missouri has more than 200 kinds of fish, more than are found in most neighboring states. Fishes live in water, breathe with gills, and have fins instead of legs. Most are covered with scales. Most fish in Missouri “look” like fish and could never be confused with anything else. True, lampreys and eels have snakelike bodies — but they also have fins and smooth, slimy skin, which snakes do not.