Range and Identity
Thoburnia hamiltoni occurs in the upper Dan system in Virginia. The parent Roanoke drainage provides a broader context, but it should not be used to imply occupancy throughout that entire river network. A named creek is valuable evidence for this restricted sucker.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults inhabit rocky riffles and runs in swift mountain creeks and small rivers. Young occur in flowing pools. The life-stage contrast explains why records from the same stream can describe different current and depth conditions without being contradictory.
Food and Life History
The maximum reference is eighteen centimeters total length, with 11.1 centimeters given as a common size. A detailed diet, independent maximum mass and precise spawning calendar are not established in the checked summary. Those facts are not assigned from a different mountain sucker.
Field Note
Keep life stage with the channel feature in field notes. An adult in a rocky run and a young fish in a nearby pool represent different documented uses of the same stream system.
All Lakes With Rustyside Sucker
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Rustyside Sucker records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.