Directory of Fish - Bigmouth Buffalo facts

Directory of Fish : Fish Dictionary - reference guide to Bigmouth Buffalo

Bigmouth Buffalo	Ictiobus cyprinellus

Facts about Bigmouth Buffalo

COMMON NAMES: Bigmouth buffalo, Razor-backed buffalo, Hump-backed buffalo, Common buffalo

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ictiobus cyprinellus

IDENTIFICATION: Bigmouth buffalo are carp-like in shape, but have a terminal mouth. The upper lip is level with the eye. In all other species of buffalo the upper lip is well below the eye. Their body color is generally olive-yellow. Bigmouth buffalo do not have barbels near the mouth like carp.

RANGE AND HABITAT: The bigmouth buffalo is native to Ohio, but found principally in the Ohio River, Scioto River and the lower Muskingum River. Bigmouth buffalo prefer large rivers or large lakes with deep water over substrates of mud, silt, sand, gravel, clay or rubble.

LIFE HISTORY: Bigmouth buffalo spawn during March and early May. One female and several males select small streams or ditches and randomly spread eggs over the substrate. Females can lay up to 400,000 eggs. Adults filter bottom sediment for small crustaceans, insects, and other invertebrates. Bigmouth buffalo compete for food with carp, river carpsucker, and smallmouth buffalo.

ADULT SIZE: Bigmouth buffalo range in size from 15 to 30 inches, but can reach a maximum size of 40 inches. These fish generally weigh anywhere from 2 to 30 pounds with a maximum of 40 pounds.

FISHING METHODS: Few bigmouth buffalo are caught by anglers, and then only accidentally.

Source: courtesy Ohio DNR