Moxostoma breviceps

Moxostoma breviceps
Smallmouth Redhorse – Moxostoma breviceps – Oconaluftee River

Moxostoma breviceps

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CatostomidaeMoxostoma breviceps(Cope)1870Smallmouth 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.

Moxostoma breviceps
Smallmouth Redhorse – Moxostoma breviceps
Photo Credit: Luke Etchison NCWRC
Moxostoma breviceps
Moxostoma breviceps pharyngeal arch NCSM 45940

Similar Species:

Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei

Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum

Moxostoma duquesnei
Black Redhorse – Moxostoma duquesnei – Oconaluftee River
Moxostoma duquesnei
Black Redorse – Moxostoma duquesnei
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge
Moxostoma erythrurum
Golden-Redhorse – Moxostoma erythrurum – male
Moxostoma erythrurum Lips
Moxostoma erythrurum Lips

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

Moxostoma sp. Sicklefin Redhorse Lips
Moxostoma sp. “Sicklefin” Redhorse Lips
"Sicklefin" Redhorse
“Sicklefin” Redhorse – Moxostoma sp. – Oconaluftee River
Moxostoma carinatum
River Redhorse – Moxostoma carinatum
Moxostoma carinatum
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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