| Shorthead redhorse | |
|---|---|
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| Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Catostomidae |
| Genus: | Moxostoma |
| Species: | M. macrolepidotum
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| Binomial name | |
| Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Lesueur, 1817)
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| Synonyms | |
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The shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) is a wide-ranging species in North America. The shorthead redhorse is native to central and eastern North America. However, its range has expanded to include areas like the Hudson estuary and Grayson County, Texas. It inhabits small to large rivers and lakes, and lives in the benthic zone. Shorthead redhorse feed on benthic invertebrates and can consume plant material from the benthic environment that it inhabits. When it spawns, shorthead redhorse move into more shallow streams and spawn over gravel or rocky shoals. They will also spawn in springs with swift moving water. The shorthead redhorse is important to humans because it is a game fish. It is also important to anglers because of its role in the ecosystem; it is prey for larger game fish such as northern pike and muskellunge.
One source gives one of its English names as "common mullet". Others are redfin, redfin sucker, red sucker, redhorse mullet, shorthead mullet, mullet, bigscale sucker, common redhorse, northern redhorse, Des Moines Plunger.[2]
- ^ NatureServe (2013). "Moxostoma macrolepidotum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T202253A18228990. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202253A18228990.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Fish of Indiana: Shorthead Redhorse". fn.cfs.purdue.edu. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2011.