Post date: Friday, September 13, 2013 - 11:29
Updated date: 3/26/23
Bronze Redhorse - Moxostoma collapsum

 

Other names:  The bronze redhorse is also known as the "notchlip redhorse" which is not only a hard name to remember, but it bases the identification of the fish on a hard-to-see characteristic that is really most useful in a laboratory setting. We prefer a common name that is more evocative and reflects the fish the way it is commonly seen in the field, by the angler.

 

The bronze redhorse is a large, handsome species of sucker. Bronze redhorse can be found east of the Appalachians from Virginia's Roanoke-Chowan drainage to the Altamaha River drainage in the state of Georgia. South Carolina's Bronze Redhorse population is found both in the mainstem and larger tributaries of the Pee Dee River, Santee River, and Savannah River. Bronzies attack redworms as well as small pieces of crawler. Look for them in areas of moderate current over rock and sand.

Description

Bronze redhorse have large, shiny scales. Scales on the top and sides of the fish often have the distinct color of polished bronze. They have grayish to pinkish fins and a grayish tail. The bronze redhorse has a long, more-or-less straight-edged dorsal fin with 14+ rays, which helps seperate it from the similar slender redhorse, which sports a very short, concave to falcate dorsal fin with 12-13 rays.

Bronze and Slender Redhorse Closeup Moxostoma collapsum pappilosum

Bronze (top) and Slender redhorse.

The anal fin sometimes has a patch of dark orange membranes which is highly distinctive.

Bronze redhorse anal fin.

 

 

Range Map