B
Species Profile

Buffalo Fish

Ictiobus

Big bodies, subtle mouths, ancient lives
Photographed at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery in Yankton, SD by Sam Stukel (USFWS)

Buffalo Fish Distribution

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This map shows coastal regions where Buffalo Fish are found.

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Found in 2 countries

🇨🇦 Canada 🇺🇸 United States

At a Glance

Genus Overview This page covers the Buffalo Fish genus as a group. Stats below are general traits shared across the genus.
Also Known As Buffalo, Buffalo fish, Buffalo carp
Diet Omnivore
Activity Cathemeral+
Lifespan 30 years
Weight 40 lbs
Status Not Evaluated
Did You Know?

The genus Ictiobus has three living species: bigmouth, smallmouth, and black buffalo.

Scientific Classification

Genus Overview "Buffalo Fish" is not a single species but represents an entire genus containing multiple species.

Buffalofishes are large-bodied freshwater suckers native to North America, known for deep, laterally compressed bodies, subterminal mouths adapted for bottom feeding, and importance in commercial/recreational fisheries in parts of the U.S.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Catostomiformes
Family
Catostomidae
Genus
Ictiobus

Distinguishing Features

  • Deep-bodied, laterally compressed ‘sucker’ fish shape
  • Subterminal mouth suited for benthic feeding
  • Typically large size for Catostomidae (especially bigmouth buffalo)
  • Often confused with carp in appearance but taxonomically distinct

Did You Know?

The genus Ictiobus has three living species: bigmouth, smallmouth, and black buffalo.

Bigmouth buffalo can be among the longest-lived freshwater fishes known, with verified individuals over 100 years old.

Despite the name, buffalofishes are native to North America and are not related to common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Bigmouth buffalo are adapted for filtering plankton with long gill rakers-unusual among large North American freshwater fishes.

Smallmouth and black buffalo tend to feed more on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, using a subterminal "sucker" mouth to vacuum and sort food.

They often rely on floodplain connectivity: high water can trigger spawning and nursery access in shallow vegetated areas.

"Buffalo fish" has long been a regional food and market fish in parts of the Mississippi River basin and the U.S. Midwest.

Unique Adaptations

  • Subterminal, protrusible mouth (Catostomidae trait): Built for suction-feeding-drawing in sediment and food, then sorting edible items.
  • Gill-raker specialization across the genus: Bigmouth buffalo have notably long, fine gill rakers suited to filtering plankton; smallmouth/black generally have shorter, coarser rakers better matched to benthic foraging.
  • Deep, laterally compressed body: Helps with maneuvering and stability in currents and in vegetated backwaters; body depth and "hump" can vary by species and habitat.
  • Pharyngeal teeth for processing: Like other suckers, they grind food in the throat rather than with jaw teeth, aiding a varied diet.
  • Tolerance of warm, low-visibility waters: Many populations persist in turbid, productive systems and can use backwaters and floodplain lakes when connected.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Schooling and migrations: Many populations form schools and move seasonally between river channels, backwaters, and floodplain habitats; the extent varies by river system and connectivity.
  • Spawning linked to water level: Spawning commonly coincides with spring warming and rising water, with eggs broadcast over vegetation or submerged structure; timing and habitat use vary among species and basins.
  • Feeding niche differences within the genus: Bigmouth buffalo often feed higher in the water column on plankton, while smallmouth and black buffalo more often forage along the bottom for insect larvae and other invertebrates-yet all can shift diets opportunistically.
  • Turbid-water living: Buffalofishes frequently occupy murky rivers, reservoirs, and oxbows, where visibility is low and currents can be strong.
  • Longevity-driven population structure: In some areas (notably for bigmouth buffalo), populations can be dominated by very old adults with infrequent strong recruitment, so year-class patterns can vary dramatically between locations.

Cultural Significance

Buffalofish (Ictiobus) are important in the central U.S., especially the Mississippi River basin. They support commercial harvest, local food traditions sold as 'buffalo fish', and recreational fishing. Often mistaken for carp. Conservation focuses on bigmouth buffalo and careful harvest because they live long and have young only in some years.

Myths & Legends

Name-and-image tradition: Early American common names likened these deep-bodied fishes to bison ("buffalo") for their bulky profile and arched back-an enduring bit of frontier-era naming lore rather than formal taxonomy.

In Mississippi Basin towns, Buffalofish (Ictiobus) appear often in market talk and fishing tales as big, hard‑fighting 'rough fish'—an image built by local tradition rather than one clear legend.

Foodways heritage: Midwestern and Southern river towns have passed down practical kitchen lore-smoking, frying, or grinding "buffalo" for fish cakes-forming a cultural tradition around the genus even without widely recorded stand-alone myths specific to Ictiobus.

Conservation Status

NE Not Evaluated (genus-level hub). IUCN assessments are made at the species level; across currently recognized Ictiobus species, assessments where available have typically been Least Concern, but conservation risk and trends vary strongly by river basin and by species/population.

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Protected Under

  • United States Clean Water Act (water quality and aquatic habitat protections; varies by implementation)
  • Canada Fisheries Act (fish and fish habitat protections; where applicable)
  • State/provincial fisheries regulations (seasons, gear rules, commercial licensing, and harvest limits; varies widely by jurisdiction)

Looking for a specific species?

Bigmouth buffalo

Ictiobus cyprinellus

In many regions, "buffalofish/buffalo" in fisheries and popular usage most often refers to the bigmouth buffalo, the most widely encountered and frequently harvested species in the genus.

  • Across the genus Ictiobus, adults are large-bodied freshwater suckers; typical total length spans roughly ~40-120+ cm depending on species and population (smallest mature adults near the low end; the largest individuals at the high end).
  • Across the genus, body mass commonly ranges from ~1-20+ kg, with exceptional individuals reported higher in some waters; size varies strongly by species, habitat productivity, and fishing pressure.
  • Buffalofish (genus Ictiobus) live a long time for freshwater fish. Many reach decades; bigmouth buffalo can live over 50 years, while others live about 10 to 30 or more years.
  • Feeding ecology across the genus is generally omnivorous bottom-feeding or water-column filtering/sieving: diets commonly include zooplankton, insect larvae, small crustaceans, mollusks, algae/biofilm, and detritus; the balance varies among species and with season/size.
  • Most buffalofish (Ictiobus) live in large rivers, floodplain lakes, reservoirs, and backwaters. They mostly spawn in spring, moving into shallows and flooded plants, but timing and places vary.

You might be looking for:

Bigmouth buffalo

45%

Ictiobus cyprinellus

Largest and best-known buffalofish; deep-bodied freshwater sucker of rivers and lakes.

Smallmouth buffalo

30%

Ictiobus bubalus

Common buffalofish with a smaller, more downturned mouth; widespread in central North America.

Black buffalo

20%

Ictiobus niger

Darker-bodied species; often in sluggish rivers and floodplain habitats.

View Profile

Buffalo fish (as a market name)

5%

Ictiobus spp. (sometimes other Catostomidae)

In seafood/market contexts, “buffalo fish” may be applied broadly to buffalofishes or other sucker fishes.

Life Cycle

Birth 500000 frys
Lifespan 30 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
10–112 years
In Captivity
10–60 years

Reproduction

Mating System Promiscuity
Social Structure Aggregation Group
Breeding Pattern Seasonal
Fertilization Broadcast Spawning
Birth Type Substrate_spawning

Buffalofish (genus Ictiobus) spawn in promiscuous groups: many males and females release eggs and sperm into shallow, vegetated or flooded waters (broadcast spawning) in spring–early summer. Spawning is brief; adults provide no care.

Behavior & Ecology

Social School Group: 20
Activity Cathemeral, Crepuscular, Diurnal
Diet Omnivore Zooplankton and soft-bodied benthic invertebrates (shifts among species and habitats; some Ictiobus rely more on plankton, others more on bottom fauna).
Seasonal Migratory 31 mi

Temperament

Generally non-aggressive and non-territorial; interactions are mostly spacing/avoidance rather than overt aggression
Bottom-feeding, substrate-oriented foragers; boldness varies with turbidity, fishing pressure, and habitat complexity
Seasonally mobile: tendency to become more gregarious during migrations/spawning and more dispersed during routine foraging
Buffalofish (genus Ictiobus) vary from tens of centimeters to over one meter long. Life spans commonly range from about a decade to several decades, with some living many decades.

Communication

No prominent, well-characterized vocal communication is widely documented for the genus; any sound production is likely incidental (e.g., movement/handling) rather than used as routine signaling
Chemical cues (pheromonal/chemical signaling) likely important for reproductive synchronization and conspecific recognition, as in many freshwater fishes
Hydrodynamic/mechanical cues via the lateral line during close-range schooling/spacing and during spawning aggregations
Tactile contact and body positioning during spawning Close proximity, nudging/parallel swimming
Visual cues contribute where water clarity allows, but reliance likely shifts toward chemical/lateral-line cues in turbid systems

Habitat

River/Stream Lake Pond Wetland Marsh Swamp Urban Suburban Agricultural/Farmland +3
Biomes:
Freshwater Wetland Temperate Grassland Temperate Forest Boreal Forest (Taiga)
Terrain:
Riverine Plains Valley Muddy Sandy
Elevation: Up to 4921 ft 3 in

Ecological Role

Benthic-pelagic omnivorous consumers that couple bottom sediments and the water column; importance varies by species (from more benthic invertebrate/detritus-feeding to more plankton-feeding) and by system (rivers, floodplain lakes, reservoirs).

nutrient cycling via bioturbation and excretion (sediment disturbance and redistribution of nutrients) regulation of zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities (top-down effects that vary by species) energy transfer to higher trophic levels (prey for large piscivores when young; biomass supporting fisheries) linking floodplain/backwater productivity to main-channel food webs through seasonal movements

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Zooplankton Aquatic insect larvae benthic microcrustaceans Mollusks Annelid worms
Other Foods:
Detritus Algae and periphyton Aquatic plant fragments Seeds

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Buffalofish (genus Ictiobus) are native North American freshwater suckers and remain wild, not domesticated. For over a century people have fished them commercially and for sport in parts of the U.S. They have been moved or stocked for fisheries and kept short-term in ponds, but no long-term breeding or domesticated lines exist.

Danger Level

Low
  • Injury from hooks/lines or thrashing when landing large individuals
  • Slips/falls during wading or boating while pursuing/handling fish
  • Minor skin abrasions from rough handling and equipment
  • General food-safety risks if improperly handled or undercooked (common to many wild-caught fishes)

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Rules for buffalofish (Ictiobus) vary by place. Many areas limit possession, transport, or moving live fish and may need permits or aquaculture licenses. Always check state or province fish and wildlife rules.

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost: Up to $200
Lifetime Cost: $2,000 - $25,000

Economic Value

Uses:
Commercial food fish (regional) Recreational fishing/bycatch value Bowfishing/harvest tournaments (localized) Subsistence/traditional use (localized) Ecosystem services (benthic feeding; nutrient cycling) Aquaculture/pond holding (limited, localized)
Products:
  • fresh or frozen fillets/whole fish (regional markets)
  • ground fish/mince (some markets)
  • fish meal or fertilizer from processing byproducts (where utilized)
  • live/held fish for managed pond fisheries (limited)

Relationships

Predators 9

Alligator gar
Alligator gar Atractosteus spatula
Northern pike Esox lucius
Muskellunge
Muskellunge Esox masquinongy
Walleye
Walleye Sander vitreus
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris
Bald eagle
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Osprey
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Human
Human Homo sapiens

Related Species 5

White sucker Catostomus commersonii Shared Family
Quillback Carpiodes cyprinus Shared Family
River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Shared Family
Shorthead Redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum Shared Family
Spotted sucker Minytrema melanops Shared Family

Ecological Equivalents 4

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Common carp
Common carp Cyprinus carpio Overlaps strongly in large-river and lake habitats and in the benthic-foraging niche; both are large-bodied freshwater omnivores/detritivores that feed by rooting or sieving bottom sediments, and both are important to fisheries and are sometimes perceived as competitors.
Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Often co-occurs in reservoirs and slow rivers and overlaps in plankton- and detritus-based food webs (buffalofishes range from more zooplanktivorous to more benthic-invertebrate feeding). Both can form large biomass that supports predators and fisheries.
Freshwater drum
Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Shares large-river and lake habitats and exploits benthic prey resources, especially mollusks and other invertebrates, leading to niche overlap in bottom-feeding food webs.
Bigmouth/smallmouth carpsuckers Carpiodes spp. Close ecological analogs within Catostomidae. They have similar body forms, use similar habitats (slow rivers and backwaters), and employ bottom-feeding strategies, consuming invertebrates and detritus.

Types of Buffalo Fish

3

Explore 3 recognized types of buffalo fish

Bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus
Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus
Black buffalo
Black buffalo Ictiobus niger

Quick Take

  • Achieving 112 years of age requires the Bigmouth species to survive far beyond average freshwater lifespans.
  • Relying on otolith ear bone analysis creates significant technical hurdles for researchers tracking Ictiobus age cycles.
  • The Buffalo fish is counter-intuitively a prized gamefish despite long-standing myths regarding its hook and line behavior.
  • Undertaking upstream migration is mandatory for Ictiobus to locate the precise vegetation needed for egg survival.

The Buffalo fish, also known as the Ictiobus, is a large genus of freshwater fish that is one of the largest North American sucker fish. They can be found throughout the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Canada. Buffalo fish are often mistaken for carp due to the two fish’s similarities in appearance. These large fish thrive in a variety of water systems, including ponds, creeks, and lakes with temperate freshwater. They are native to North America, and the genus contains five different species of Ictiobus.

An educational infographic about the Buffalo fish featuring a central illustration of the fish, a range map of North America, and icons detailing its habitat and century-long lifespan.
Forget everything you know about 'trash fish.' Meet the 112-year-old freshwater titan that outlives humans and defies modern fishing myths. © A-Z Animals

3 Buffalo Fish Facts

  • The largest of the Ictiobus fish genus can grow up to 82 pounds and reach up to 4 feet in size.
  • The Bigmouth Buffalo fish (Ictiobus cyprinellus) has been known to live up to 112 years, and it falls under the category of an animal whose lifespan can exceed 100 years, making it a supercentenarian.
  • Buffalo fish consume just about anything that they can suck into their mouths, and they will filter inedible items like sand from their mouths and eat the edible pieces.

Buffalo Fish Species

Ictiobus describes a genus of five different freshwater sucker fish species. Each species classified as a Buffalo fish varies in size, with the largest of the Ictiobus genus being the Bigmouth Buffalo fish.

  • Smallmouth Buffalo fish (Ictiobus bubalus): A long-lived and stocky species that is found in the Mississippi River.
  • Bigmouth Buffalo fish (Ictiobus cyprinellus): One of the largest species in this genus, and can grow up to 4 feet in size.
  • Black Buffalo fish (Ictiobus niger): A North American species of Buffalo fish that was first discovered in Canada.
  • Fleshylip Buffalo fish (Ictiobus labiosus): A large demersal buffalo fish that is found throughout North America.
  • Southern Buffalo fish (Ictiobus meridionalis): A light-colored Buffalo fish that is long-lived and grows to an impressive size.

Appearance

The Buffalo fish has an olive coloration that is usually mixed with dark gray or golden scales. The appearance of the Buffalo fish differs according to the species, as the Southern Buffalo fish is considerably lighter in appearance than the Black Buffalo fish. Buffalo fish can reach a length of 4 feet; however, most species rarely exceed 2 feet in length.

This popular game fish has a long dorsal fin that appears angular; its body is quite stocky, and it can weigh up to 82 pounds. However, most Buffalo fish only reach half their maximum weight. Although they are related to suckerfish, they do not have any barbels. Instead, they have an upturned mouth with thin sucker lips that they use to scrape algae off rocks.

Buffalo fish

In this artist’s rendering, note the extended dorsal fin and stocky body of the Buffalo fish.

©patrimonio designs ltd/Shutterstock.com

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Distribution

Buffalo fish are native to North America, and they are distributed throughout Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala. Some species of Buffalo fish are found in larger regions, while others stick to a smaller geographical area. Each of the five species in the Ictiobus genus has its own geographical distribution, but they are all primarily from parts of North America, from river basins or the Mississippi River.

Population

While some Buffalo fish species are still listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, recent studies indicate that populations — especially of the Bigmouth Buffalo — are declining in parts of North America due to increased fishing pressure and lack of management, raising conservation concerns. However, there are certain fish laws and regulations in some areas when it comes to Buffalo fish.

Habitat

The Buffalo fish lives in freshwater rivers, lakes, ponds, and creeks throughout North America. They live in shallow, sluggish waters where they swim at the bottom of the body of water, foraging through the muddy substrate and vegetation for food. Buffalo fish prefer to live in waters that contain a lot of vegetation because this is where they lay their eggs. The waters they inhabit are usually murky and contain mud as the main substrate.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The Bigmouth Buffalo fish has been recorded to live up to 112 years, according to the measurement of their otolith ear bone by scientists. The Buffalo fish can live as long as 18 years of age, but the average lifespan is around 25 years. In captivity, the smallmouth buffalo fish only lives between 8 and 10 years, mainly because their environment is not as adequate as their large natural rivers and lakes that allow them to reach their full adult size.

Buffalo fish reproduce in waters that contain plenty of vegetation for their eggs to hatch and be hidden from predators. They travel upstream to reproduce and will usually migrate for this to be possible. Most Buffalo fish will travel in large groups to breeding grounds, where the females will release eggs, and the males will fertilize them during spawning.

Predators and Prey

Buffalo fish fall prey to larger fish, especially when they are juveniles. Since the Buffalo fish gets quite large and hides among dense vegetation, they usually stays out of predators’ way. One of the Buffalo fish’s main predators as adults is humans because they are a popular angling fish. The Buffalo fish’s low predator list may also be a contributing factor to how they can live for so long. Buffalo fish naturally prey on plankton, detritus, algae, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and other aquatic vegetation, making them omnivores.

Fishing and Cooking

Fishing

Buffalo fish were originally thought to be terrible game fish because they were difficult to catch with a hook and line. Bowfishing for Buffalo fish has become increasingly popular in recent years, with regulations varying by state and locality. Some areas have enacted specific laws and regulations regarding bowfishing for Buffalo fish. Buffalo fish are now considered to be a popular game fish and are great for fly-fishermen because they put up a fight. They can be caught with a fly rod and barbed hooks.

Cooking

Buffalo fish are considered to have a delicious taste with soft and juicy flesh in comparison to other fish, like mackerel. Although Buffalo fish have faced increased fishing pressure in recent years, they are still caught and eaten in some regions. However, their popularity as a food fish varies by location. They can be eaten raw or cooked, but they do contain a lot of bones that consumers should be cautious about when eating fish.

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia / Accessed October 1, 2022
  2. Biological Dictionary / Accessed October 1, 2022
  3. Fish Base / Accessed October 1, 2022
Sarah Psaradelis

About the Author

Sarah Psaradelis

Sarah is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering aquatic pets, rodents, arachnids, and reptiles. Sarah has over 3 years of experience in writing and researching various animal topics. She is currently working towards furthering her studies in the animal field. A resident of South Africa, Sarah enjoys writing alongside her pets and almost always has her rats perched on her shoulders.
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Buffalo Fish FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The geographical range of Buffalo fish is dependent on the species. All Buffalo fish are native to North America and can be found throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and Canada in the Mississippi river and river basins.

View Buffalo Fish Photos