Category
page 1Carpiodes

Quillback
The quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus), also known as the quillback sucker or quillback carpsucker, is a type of freshwater fish of the sucker family widely distributed throughout North America. It is deeper-bodied than most suckers, leading to a fuller-bodied appearance. However, the quillback is not a carp. Quillback are catostomids, and like all catostomids, they do not have barbels around the mouth. The quillback is long-lived, with age up to 30 years found in Florida, and lifespans of 44 - 52 years in Canada, Minnesota, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

River carpsucker
species of fish
Carpiodes velifer
species of fish
Carpiodes
Carpiodes is a genus of suckers found in freshwater in North America, containing species with exceptionally long lifespans for their body size. Long neglected as 'rough fish' in traditional fisheries, in 2025 it was discovered that the three species of carpsucker can live more than 50 years.