U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Lost River & Shortnose Sucker (DelƟstes luxatus & Chasmistes brevirostris)

Both the Lost River sucker (C’waam) Historical InformaƟon: Early records Because suckers were historically very and shortnose sucker (Qapdo) are indicate these fish were once wide- abundant, they were a major food large, long-lived freshwater fish found spread and abundant in the upper Kla- source for the Klamath and Modoc In- exclusively in the Klamath Basin. Both math Basin of Oregon and California. dians and local selers in the late fish were once a valuable source of This area historically contained over 1800's. Canneries were established food and oil and are considered sacred 350,000 acres of wet-lands and flood- along the Lost River to process suckers by the Basin’s Nave American tribes. plains. These areas protected sucker into oil, dried fish, and other products.

These fish were federally listed as en- habitat by controlling erosion, recy- dangered in 1988. A recovery plan was cling organic and inorganic nutrients, published in 1993. and maintaining water quality.

Agricultural development and associat- decline, it is believed that the com- through the degradaon of suitable ed water and land use changes in the bined effects of the construcon of breeding habitat. basin have contributed to the signifi- dams, the draining or dredging of At the me the suckers were listed as cant loss of wetland habitat and a sig- lakes, and other alteraons of natural endangered, it was noted that there nificant decline in sucker populaons. stream flow have reduced the repro- had been no significant addion of Although overharvesng and polluon ducve success of shortnose and Lost young into the populaon in 18 years. may have played a role in the species River suckers by as much as 95 percent DescripƟon and Life History: Locally known as mullet, the Lost River sucker can reach 39 inches and lives as long as 45 years. The shortnose sucker can reach 20 inches and lives as long as 33 years. Both species live in quiet lake waters most of the year and migrate up fast moving streams in the spring to spawn. Once the eggs hatch, the larval fish begin their migraon back to calmer waters. They generally mi- grate at night and stay in shallow, shoreline areas and in aquac vegeta- on during the day.

Diet: Lost River suckers have unique, triangular-shaped gill structures which are used to strain a diet of zooplank- ton, algae and larval insects - mostly midges - that are abundant in the ar- ea. Shortnose suckers feed primarily on zooplankton (ny floang aquac animals), known as Daphnia. Reasons for Decline: Although a num- ConservaƟon Measures: Conservaon

DistribuƟon: The present distribuon ber of factors have contributed to the efforts for the shortnose and Lost River of the Lost River and shortnose suck- decline of the suckers, habitat degra- suckers focus on the re-establishment ers include Upper Klamath Lake and daon is considered the primary cause. of a more naturally funconing ecosys- its tributaries, Clear Lake Reservoir Other factors have led to increases in tem in the Klamath Basin. Fencing por- and its tributaries, Tule Lake and the stream temperatures, high levels of ons of streams to reduce cale- Lost River up to Anderson-Rose dam, nutrients (which encourages the caused erosion, replanng stream the Klamath River downstream to buildup of excess algae and bacteria), banks with nave vegetaon, improv- Copco Reservoir. The shortnose suck- and serious erosion and sedimentaon ing forestry and agricultural pracces, er is also found in Gerber Reservoir problems in streams. Such water qual- and assuring adequate water levels in and its tributaries. ity problems have reduced the availa- reservoirs will contribute to the recov- bility of suitable sucker habitat and ery of this species. Through coordina- have resulted in major fish mortality. on of the acons of land use agencies Enre age classes of young suckers are and private landowners, further degra- rounely lost due to poor water quali- daon of sucker habitat can be avoided ty condions. As a result, few young and steps can be taken to improve cur- suckers survive to sexual maturity, and rent condions. By minimizing the im- therefore, do not increase the popula- pacts of future modificaons to spawn- on size. Other factors affecng the ing habitat and restoring waters to a decline include predaon and compe- more natural state, recovery of Lost on from nave and non-nave fishes River and shortnose sucker populaons such as largemouth bass, blue chub, is possible in the Klamath Basin. yellow perch, fathead minnows, and rainbow trout.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office 1936 California Ave Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601 541-885-8481 hp://www.fws.gov/klamathfallsfwo/

August 2010