 Their biotic communities are restricted to aquatic wetland and riparian zones within Arizona, with a more restricted elevation distribution of 609 to 2060 m.

Bluehead suckers prefer larger streams and rivers due to their larger size, but they can be found in a variety of habitats.This species has a wide temperature preference, as well, ranging from cold mountain brooks at 12°C to warmer desert rivers at 27°C.If times are good and water is clear, the suckers stay in shallow steams and eddies during the day, finding their way to hard-bottomed streams to forage at night.