Alabama hog sucker
(Hypentelium etowanum)
Image source: Mark Otnes | inaturalist.org
General data
The Alabama hog sucker (Hypentelium etowanum) is a species of fish in the family Catostomidae, the suckers. It is native to several river systems in the southeastern United States. Its range includes much of the state of Alabama and extends into parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia.
This fish grows up to 23 centimeters in length. It has dark bars along its back, horizontal pale stripes, and orange fins.
This is one of three species in the genus Hypentelium. Hypentelium roanokense inhabits the Atlantic slope. There is a historical connection of the Tennessee River with the Mobile Basin, suggesting a closer sister relationship between Hypentelium nigricans and H. etowanum.
The fish lives in the Chattahoochee River and Mobile Bay drainages and nearby creeks.
The species was named for the Etowah River of Georgia.
