Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) fish species and information / pictures of Smallmouth buffalo - Ictiobus bubalus

Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ictiobus bubalus

Common Name
Smallmouth buffalo

Biology
Inhabits pools, backwaters and main channels of small to large rivers. Also occurs in lakes and impoundments. Feeds on shellfish and algae, by grinding with the bony plates in its throat (Ref. 9988). Appears to be a good candidate for aquaculture. Marketed fresh and eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1818

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Suckers (Catostomidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Lake Michigan drainage and Mississippi River basin from Pennsylvania and Michigan to Montana, USA and south to the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf Slope drainages from Mobile Bay in Alabama to Rio Grande in Texas and New Mexico, USA. Also in Mexico.

Range

50°N - 26°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

32 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

3.01 s.e. 0.39 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

112 cm

Common Length

58.5 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (71 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=15)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated