Razorback Sucker

Xyrauchen texanus

Keel between head and fin

Temperate
Lower river
Northern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
North America
Large
Temperate fish

The razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) is a suckerfish found in rivers and lakes in the southwestern United States and formerly northwestern Mexico. It can grow to 91 cm (3 ft) in length and is recognisable by the keel between its head and dorsal fin. It used to inhabit much of the Colorado River Basin but commercial fishing, river damming, and habitat loss have caused great declines in populations.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Minnows, Carps, and Loaches
Family: Catostomidae
Genus: Xyrauchen
Maximum length: 91 cm
Water: Freshwater
Distribution: North America: Formerly throughout medium to large rivers of Colorado River basin from Wyoming and Colorado in USA to Baja California in Mexico. Presently known only above Grand Canyon and in Lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu on lower Colorado River in USA.
Conservation status: CRCritically Endangered

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