FISH

BLUEHEAD SUCKER

Bluehead Suckers are common native fish to the Navajo Nation. They are found within our large rivers (San Juan, Colorado, and Little Colorado Rivers), as well as the streams within the Chuska Mountains. Suckers have large fleshy lips; this species also has scraping discs on the inside of the lips. These chisel-like ridges allow the fish to scrape algae, benthic insects, and other material from the surface of rocks. The Bluehead Sucker is a benthic feeder like the flannelmouth, feeding only on rocks on the stream bottom.

Fish are called “Lóó” in the Navajo language. Traditional Navajo People belief that fish are closely related to reptiles and they should not be eaten. It is said that expectant parents should not fish or eat fish.