Moxostoma duquesnei

Moxostoma duquesnei
Black Redhorse – Moxostoma duquesnei – Oconaluftee River
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
CatostomidaeMoxostoma duquesnei(Lesueur)1817Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Unique Characters: 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.

Moxostoma duquesnei
Black Redorse – Moxostoma duquesnei
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge

Similar Species:

Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum

River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum

Moxostoma erythrurum
Golden Redhorse – Moxostoma erythrurum – male
Moxostoma erythrurum Lips
Moxostoma erythrurum Lips
Moxostoma carinatum
River Redhorse – Moxostoma carinatum
Moxostoma carinatum
River Redhorse – Moxostoma carinatum
Photo Credit: Tim Aldridge

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.

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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