The Spotted Sucker avoids currents, living in pools of small streams and overflow ponds in the floodplains of rivers. The pools occupied usually have firm bottoms and aquatic vegetation or other plant debris. They seem to require clear, relatively soft water. This fish spawns in late spring or summer and feeds mainly on small insects and crustaceans.
The Spotted Sucker has been found recently only in the Arkansas and Osage river systems.