It has been observed spawning over gravel bars in the mainstream river. Like most suckers, it feeds on both plant and animal matter. The razorback may be hybridizing itself out of existence by spawning with the more common flannelmouth sucker in response to habitat destruction. Since the monitoring program began in 1978, significant survival of young razorback suckers into adulthood has not been documented. Reasons for its decline are similar to those affecting the squawfish.
Current management is limited to population and habitat monitoring in Colorado.
The razorback sucker is dark brown to olive-green, fading to white on the belly.