highfin carpsucker. However, humans are still the most significant predator this species encounters. The highfin carpsucker does not tolerate very much change in the water velocity and prefers to stay in moderate to swift currents. This species feeds and thrives in areas with a consistent sandy or rocky gravel substrate. Siltation can cause a variety of problems for this species, and some of the other species with which the highfin directly competes. Catfish and other carps are their toughest competitors. Some of these species possibly survive in the same areas, but the highfin carpsucker does best without much competition. The abundance of highfin carpsuckers may have a direct impact on traditional game species, because these bottom feeders are responsible for the cleaning of their habitat. Fisheries depend on them to keep the environment in check so it can support more marketable game species. Lifecycle In the third year of life, this species becomes sexually mature. Highfin carpsuckers breed when temperatures are around . Highfins generally spawn from April through June, and in some states, eggs have been found until late August. They only breed once a year, not again in the fall like some species. Generally, the average clutch is around 20 to 30 young. After spawning, they live for around 12 years in the wild. However, if this species is grown in captivity, it may only live for four years. Highfin carpsuckers migrate locally, but are not considered a migratory species. References Young Shawn P.; Grabowski Timothy B.; Ely Patrick C. 2010. First Record of Carpiodes velifer (Highfin Carpsucker) in the Apalachicola River, Florida. SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Pages: 165-170 Pam Fuller. 2011. Carpiodes velifer. USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=343 RevisionDate: 3/6/2011 Hammerson, G. 2004.Nature Serve Explorer. An online ecyclpedia of Life. Comprehensive Report Species - Carpiodes velifer Ronald L. Woodwarda & Thomas E. Wissinga. 1976. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Age, Growth, and Fecundity of the Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) and Highfin (C. velifer) Carpsuckers in an Ohio Stream. Volume 105, Issue 3 . Woodward RL; Wissing TE. 1976. Age, Growth, and fecundity of Quillback (Capiodes cyprinius) and Highfin (Capiodes velifer) carpsuckers in the Ohio stream. Transactions of the American Fisheris Society. Volume:105 Issue:3 Pages:411-415 nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=343 www.dnr.state.oh.us/Default.aspx?tabid=22718 www.iowagis.org/iris/fishatlas/IA163920.html highfin carpsucker Freshwater fish of the United States highfin carpsucker highfin carpsucker