Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)

Scientific name: Ictiobus bubalus Rafinesque, 1818

Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)

The Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 32°C (90°F).

Smallmouth buffalo care at a glance

Temperature
32°C (90°F)

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. Appears to be a good candidate for aquaculture. Marketed fresh and eaten pan-fried, broiled and baked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Ictiobus bubalus
Family
Catostomidae (Suckers)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
112
Common length
58.5
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Temperate
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.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax=15)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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