Range and natural history
It inhabits clear pools in headwaters, creeks and small rivers, commonly around submerged plants. Bottoms may contain silt, sand or gravel, and it occasionally occurs in lakes. This is a sheltered pool setting rather than an exclusive association with fast riffles.
It resembles the eastern creek chubsucker, Erimyzon oblongus. A rounded dorsal fin, usually ten dorsal rays and a series of dark side blotches help characterize it, but formal identification uses the full character combination. Historical range records also include places where it has since disappeared.
Sources: Erimyzon claviformis species summary
