Moxostoma breviceps
| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Catostomidae | Moxostoma breviceps | (Cope) | 1870 | Smallmouth Redhorse |
Unique Characters: Circumpeduncle scales modally 12. Head small, short. Scale bases dark. Pelvic rays modally 10; dorsal fin rays modally 12. Dorsal fin margin usually moderately concave or slightly or moderately falcate, rarely very falcate. Upper caudal fin lobe usually distinctly the longest. Restricted to Tennessee River drainage basins.
Photo Credit: Luke Etchison NCWRC
Similar Species:
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge
Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei. Circumpeduncle scales modally 12. Lower lip plicate, plicae undissected or with shallow creases. Head medium. Lateral line scales (43)44-48(51). Breast usually with a small scaleless area anteromedial; anteromedial breast scales much smaller than anterior belly scales; breast scales embedded. Angle of posterior edge of lower lip (95)120-160(175)°. Snout of breeding males with minute or no nuptial tubercles. Restricted to Tennessee River drainage basins.
Golden Redhorse Moxostoma erythrurum. Circumpeduncle scales modally 12. Lower lip plicate, plicae undissected or with shallow creases. Head medium. Lateral line scales (37)39-43(45). Breast usually full scaled, anteromedial breast scales slightly or moderately smaller than anterior belly scales. Angle of posterior edge of lower lip 90-130(155)°. Snout of breeding males with obvious, medium-sized nuptial tubercles. Restricted to Roanoke and Tennessee River drainage basins.
“Sicklefin” Redhorse
Moxostoma sp.
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge
“Sicklefin” Redhorse Moxostoma sp. Circumpeduncle scales modally 12. Dorsal fin margin very falcate, the anterior tip when appressed exceeding the posterior tip, usually markedly. Restricted to Little Tennessee and Hiwassee basins.
River Redhorse Moxostoma carinatum. Circumpeduncle scales modally 12. Pharyngeal arch stout, lower teeth large, molariform. Lips plicate. Head medium or large. Scale bases dark. Upper body dominantly brassy, coppery, or olive in life. Tail red. Snout of breeding males with obvious medium-sized nuptial tubercles. Restricted to Tennessee River drainage basins.
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