Smallmouth buffalo
ExploreFish
Smallmouth buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
The Smallmouth buffalo is a big fish that lives in rivers and lakes. It has a strong body and can swim very fast! These fish are fun to watch as they splash around in the water.
Habitat: Lakes and rivers
Appearance
The Smallmouth buffalo has a deep, compressed body, typically appearing dark bronze to olive-brown. It features a distinctively small, downward-pointing mouth and large, prominent scales, making it visually different from slender, sharp-mouthed fish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCypriniformesFamilyCatostomidaeGenusIctiobus
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Believe it or not, it's one of North America's largest native sucker fish!
Smallmouth buffalo can live for almost 20 years, making them freshwater old-timers!
They help clean lakes by vacuuming up tiny plants and critters from the bottom.
This fish is a strong swimmer, but rarely seen jumping out of the water!
Special abilities
Ability
Bottom Vacuum
Smallmouth buffalo can sift through mud and debris because of their specialized, protrusible mouth, helping them find tiny food items.
Ability
Taste Buds Everywhere
Smallmouth buffalo have taste buds on their fins and body that help them detect food without seeing it.
Ability
Tough Breath
Smallmouth buffalo can survive in murky, low-oxygen water because they are very tolerant to poor aquatic conditions.
Ability
Long-lived Survivor
Smallmouth buffalo has a long lifespan, reaching nearly two decades, that helps them reproduce many times over their life.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 40-120 cm
- Weight
- 2-27 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-18 years
- Swim Speed
- 15 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 20 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
They are bottom feeders that vacuum up tiny plants and animals from muddy lake and river beds.
Primary Foods
- Algae
- Zooplankton
- Insect larvae
- Detritus
- Small crustaceans
Foraging Method
- Filter Feeding
Ecological connections
eaten by
Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
Gars hunt young buffalo in murky waters.
eaten by
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Bass prey on juvenile buffalo when they are small.
eats
Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
Smallmouth buffalo filter-feed on these tiny crustaceans.
eats
Bloodworm
Chironomus plumosus
Buffalo consume these insect larvae from the bottom.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Giant
Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always stay safe by keeping a distance from the water and never go swimming alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Smallmouth buffalo?
40-120 cm
How much does Smallmouth buffalo weigh?
2-27 kg
How long does Smallmouth buffalo live?
8-18 years
What does Smallmouth buffalo eat?
They are bottom feeders that vacuum up tiny plants and animals from muddy lake and river beds.
How fast can Smallmouth buffalo swim?
15 km/h
Where is Smallmouth buffalo usually found?
Lakes and rivers
How does Smallmouth buffalo hunt?
Filter Feeding
How deep can Smallmouth buffalo go?
20 m
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