It commonly
occurs in a wide variety of areas, from headwater streams to large rivers.
In Colorado, the bluehead sucker is found only in the Colorado River drainage.
It commonly
occurs in a wide variety of areas, from headwater streams to large rivers.
The species prefers
habitats with moderate to high water velocity and rocky substrates.
As the common name
implies, the head of adult bluehead suckers often have a bluish tint.
The mouth of this species is
lined with well-developed, hard ridges of cartilage that are used to scrape algae and invertebrates from rocks in areas of swift water.
Maximum Length: 10-16" (25-40 cm).
