Moxostoma poecilurum
Jordan 1877
Family Catostomidae

Lateral view of two blacktail redhorses
The photo above shows an adult, top, and juvenile, bottom, blacktail redhorse. These fish were photographed in 2015 and are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection. Top: UF 237848 Bottom: UF 237648 Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The blacktail redhorse is a member of the sucker family. It has a slightly U-shaped rear edge on the lower lip and blade-like teeth on the slender pharyngeal arch. The caudal fin is red with a black submaginal band. This species can be found in sandy and rocky pools, and in runs of small to medium rivers.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
  • River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River and the Choctawhatchee River
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Similar Species

River Redhorse