Bigmouth buffalo
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus, Eng. Bigmouth Buffalo, Gourd Head, Sucker Carp, Redmouth Buffalo, Buffalo Fish, Bernard Buffalo, Buffalo Brown or Roundhead, as its smaller relative, the Smallmouth Buffalo, one in North America widespread freshwater fish of the family of Redhorse.
Dissemination
The species is native from the Red River and the Milk River in Manitoba and Saskatchewan / Canada, from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River and south of the Mississippi River in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. From its area of origin, he was in many U.S. states such as Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Arizona and Arkansas introduced. Also in California Bigmouth Buffalo were introduced into a aqueducts system. The Bigmouth Buffalo lives in standing or slow- flowing water of large rivers, oxbow lakes, reservoirs or shallow lakes with flooded vegetation and mud bottoms. Part of it is also found in swamps, because it tolerates low oxygen levels in the water.
Description
Ictiobus cyprinellus has a dull olive-brown coloration and dark fins. However, as other Redhorse he has a long dorsal fin, in contrast to other types a terminal mouth. The Bigmouth Buffalo is averaging 35 inches long, with ideal living conditions to 120 centimeters and 29 kilograms. The IGFA record fish was caught in Bastrop north of Monroe / Louisiana and weighed 31.9 kg with a length of 123 centimeters. In individual cases it may be old in relevant environmental factors to 20 years.
Way of life
In the spring, when rising water temperatures from April to June wanders the Bigmouth Buffalo upstream to its spawning areas where fish eggs adhere to water plants. This fish eggs per Rogner be produced up to 250,000. Sexual maturity is reached at about 2 years. Adult animals may be old like carp to 20 years. Unlike Ictiobus Bubalus and Ictiobus niger feeds Ictiobus cyprinellus of zooplankton, which filter out with the help of his gills trap. He holds preferably near the ground, and caused by up-and -down movements of water eddies, which transport the plankton into its mouth. It prefers warm water with temperatures of 22 to 38 ° C, the water temperature should be 26 ° C but not exceed, in order not to compromise the development of fish eggs. Since both species inhabit the same habitat, often leads to hybridization between Ictiobus cyprinellus and Ictiobus Bubalus.
Use
In shallow water, the Bigmouth Buffalo often victims of the U.S. widespread spear fishing. Professional fishermen catch him with drift nets, gill nets and trawls. Although his flesh has relatively many small bones, it is very popular due to its palatability. The attitude in aquaculture is considered to be relatively unproblematic. The holdings of the Bigmouth Buffalo are classified as not at risk. Mostly they multiply so strong that, for example, in Minnesota electrical barriers were built in the Lake Heron, to prevent its further spread. As a sport fish, he will partially be greatly appreciated.