CREEK CHUBSUCKER 



Erimyzon oblongus (Mitchill) 



The creek chubsucker is distributed in the Atlantic drainage from 

 New England south to Virginia. There have been no extensive studies 

 of the life history of this species so there is little actually known about 

 it. 



Maine sportsmen frequently observe spawning concentrations at 

 outlets of lakes in May and the early part of June. During this period 

 males develop a few prominent tubercles on the head. 



Young chubsuckers tend to travel in schools and would seem to 

 play an important role as a forage fish, but no obvious concentrations 

 have been observed in the food of our game fish. Chubsuckers feed on 

 immature aquatic insects, aquatic plants, and minute crustaceans. 



The creek chubsucker is the least abundant of the three kinds of 

 suckers found in Maine. Three specimens taken as part of the biological 

 inventory measured 11.5, 11.8, and 12.0 inches in total length. 



58 



