Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque, 1818)
Smallmouth buffalo
Bufalo cu gura mica
Ictiobus bubalus
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Catostomidae (Suckers), subfamily: Ictiobinae
Max. size:  112 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 37 kg; max. reported age: 15 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
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.
Diagnosis:   
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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 November 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.