Post date: Monday, March 17, 2014 - 14:56
Updated date: 3/26/23
Slender Redhorse - Moxostoma pappillosum

Other names:  Suckermouth Redhorse, V-lip redhorse, Shiner Sucker. The slender redhorse was also known as the "V-lip 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 name that is more evocative and reflects the fish the way it is commonly seen in the field, by the angler.

 

The Slender Redhorse is a moderately large species of redhorse found in the southeast. It occupies scattered Atlantic slope streams from southern Virginia through South Carolina. It's a distinctly slender fish, with silvery scales, especially in smaller specimens. The slender redhorse has a short, concave to falcate dorsal fin with 12-13 rays, which helps seperate it from the similar bronze redhorse, which has a long, more-or-less straight-edged dorsal fin with 14+ rays.

 

Description

Slender redhorse have silvery scales and clear to grayish fins, possibly with a slight hint of pink. They have a distinctly skinny body shape - even more slender than the black redhorse. Dorsal fin rays are 12-13, which helps seperate it from the similar Bronze redhorse in waters where they both occur (which is often).

Bronze and Slender Redhorse Closeup Moxostoma collapsum pappilosum

Bronze (top) and Slender redhorse.

Range Map