Smallmouth buffalo

Ictiobus bubalus

Ictiobus Bubalus, Eng. Smallmouth Buffalo, is a widespread freshwater fish in North America from the family of Redhorse. Translated from the Greek, means its scientific name Bull fish or buffalo.

Dissemination

Ictiobus Bubalus occurs in many waters of the Midwest from Lake Michigan through the Mississippi. Its range extends from Montana and Michigan in the west to Pennsylvania in the east. In the southern United States it is found in rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico or Mobile Bay in Alabama. In addition, the Rio Grande in Texas and New Mexico to further south in northern Mexico. In Texas, he was captured in the following waters: Red River, Kiamichi River, Sabine Lake, Galveston Bay Brazos River, Colorado River, San Antonio Bay and Nueces River.

Description

Ictiobus Bubalus has a light to dark brown back part and flanks, some of which have a greenish or coppery tone. The fins are pale yellow or white. It is often confused with the carp, although it lacks the barbels. In contrast to Ictiobus cyprinellus Ictiobus has Bubalus under a constant mouth. Ictiobus Bubalus will average 58 inches long, in exceptional cases even up to 112 centimeters. The IGFA record fish weighed 37.3 kg and was caught in Lake Athens in Alabama. It can be a maximum of 15 years old. Ictiobus Bubalus is relatively adaptable and inhabit ponds, reservoirs, lakes, canals, and small to large rivers. He preferred clear waters with moderate flow. Ideal growing conditions he found in rich underwater plant occurrence and soft ground. Here are also areas of high water hardness, how they are to be found in the Rio Pecos, tolerated. Ictiobus Bubalus feeds at the bottom of the water by shellfish and algae, which he grinds his teeth throat. The biology of this type is still not fully understood. It is known that Smallmouth Buffalo spawn at corresponding water temperatures in the spring. The eggs are laid on water plants or in the mud, partly also on flooded meadows and after one to two weeks the fry hatch.

Use

Smallmouth Buffalo can be maintained in aquaculture and are popular food fish. In some North American states of Smallmouth Buffalo is a popular sport fish that can bait up well with dough balls of cotton seeds.