Shortnose sucker
| Shortnose sucker | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Catostomidae |
| Genus: | Chasmistes |
| Species: | C. brevirostris |
| Binomial name | |
| Chasmistes brevirostris Cope, 1879 | |
The shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris), also known as the koptu (pronounced /ˈkɒp.tuː/ KOP-too) by the Klamath Tribes, is a rare species of fish in the family Catostomidae, the suckers. It is native to southern Oregon and northern California in the United States. This species and related ones were a major food source for local tribes, and are still considered to be sacred animals. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.