The shorthead redhorse is a slender, coarse-scaled sucker with a bright red tail fin. The head is shorter than other redhorse, its dorsal fin is strongly curved inward, having 12-13 or sometimes 14 soft rays. The upper lip often has a "pea-shaped" swelling in the middle. The rear margin of the lower lip is nearly straight with the lip folds divided into prominent papillae. The pharyngeal teeth are thin, comb-like with about 53 per arch. The lateral line is complete with 41 to 45 scales. Scale count around the caudal peduncle is 12.

Moderate to swift current over sand and gravel substrate is preferred habitat for the shorthead redhorse. This sucker is adaptable to high turbidity, but it occurs most frequently in clear to slightly turbid water in the deeper stretches of the channel. Formerly named the northern redhorse (Moxostoma aureouim), this species was renamed to the present nomenclature in 1973. Its wide range is probably due to its adaptability to changing environmental conditions and different habitats. The shorthead redhorse is abundant in the Mississippi River, common in the interior rivers and uncommon to rare in the natural lakes and the Missouri River drainage. It loves to feed in rocky riffles.

The shorthead redhorse is one of the most common species of redhorse. It is a quick-water bottom feeder, using it's pointed snout to suck nymphs and scuds from the gaps between rocks. Shortheads over 16 inches are rare, so medium-light tackle is best - a long spinning rod spooled with 4-8 pound test or a six-weight flyrod would be appropriate. When feeding in rocky riffles, these fish do not seem to use their sense of sight much, so flyfishing in these situations can be difficult. Look for shortheads in sandy areas and you will do better with flies. Shortheads have very small mouths, so hooks in the 8-10 range are best, and baits should be comparably small. Shorthead Redhorse are excellent game fish and always put up a good fight for their size.

Identification

The shorthead redhorse has a red tail and a small, pointed head.  Coloration is silvery, sometimes with a slight brassy or pinkish cast.  The fins are bright red.  The mouth is very small.  If you can fit your thumb into the fish's mouth, it's not a shorthead.

The body length (nose to base of tail) of a shorthead redhorse is between 4.3 and 5.4 times the length of the head. 

Spawning

The shorthead redhorse begins spawning at a water temperature of approximately 47 degrees.  This usually occurs around the last weekend in April in the midwest. It spawns in riffles from 1-2 feet in depth, covered with coarse stones and rubble.

Geographic Range Map of the Shorthead Redhorse in North America