Overview
The Silver Redhorse while found in the same general areas as the shorthead redhorse, Moxostoma macrolepidotum, is not as wide ranging. It has no teeth and no dorsal spines. The single dorsal fin contains only soft rays and is located approximately in the middle of the back. The top edge of the dorsal fin is rounded (convex), whereas in the shorthead redhorse it is emarginate or concave. It is generally silvery in appearance, except for its bronze toned or olive green back. The fins are either white or grayish or pale red, but they may appear bright red in netted fish because they hemorrhage easily. The nose is white.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Catostomidae
- Genus
- Moxostoma
- Species
- anisurum
Habitat
Silver redhorses inhabit clear, moderate to fast-flowing rivers and streams with gravel or rocky substrates, often in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin and other North American river systems. They prefer areas with good water quality and avoid heavily polluted or stagnant waters. These fish are also found in large lakes with suitable spawning tributaries.
Diet
Silver redhorses primarily feed on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and mollusks found on the river bottom, using their sucker-like mouths to forage. They are bottom feeders active during the day, often sifting through gravel for food items like midge larvae and snails. Feeding intensity increases in warmer months when prey is abundant.
Behavior
Silver redhorses are generally solitary or found in small groups, exhibiting diurnal activity patterns with increased movement during dawn and dusk. They are known for upstream migrations in spring for spawning and can be territorial around feeding areas. These fish often burrow into substrate to avoid predators or during low water conditions.
Fishing
Though not particularly sought after as a sport fish, it has some potential and is probably under utilized in this respect. The flesh is tasty and similar to that of the shorthead redhorse, but like the shorthead redhorse, it has many small bones
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.