A massive bottom-feeding native sucker — can exceed 20 kg. Commercial fishery in some Midwestern states.

Also called: Razorback Buffalo, Smallmouth

Native status: Native to Mississippi-Missouri River systems

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 40–80 cm typical; record 102 cm
Weight2–15 kg typical; record 37 kg
LifespanWild 20–25 years; verified individuals over 100 years (one of the longest-lived North American freshwater fish)
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCatostomidae

§ Encyclopedia

The smallmouth buffalo is a catostomid fish species native to the major tributaries and surrounding waters of the Mississippi River in the United States, as well as some other water systems where it has been introduced. It is a long-lived, stocky fish like its relatives the bigmouth buffalo and the black buffalo. The smallmouth buffalo's mouth is located ventrally like other Catostomidae species, whereas the bigmouth buffalo's mouth is terminal and opens forward. It is thought that smallmouth buffalo eyes are significantly larger than those of the black buffalo. Despite being members of different scientific suborders, these three species are sometimes conflated with common carp, but an easy and notable difference is that all catostomids lack the characteristic barbels of carp, and carp are not native to North America whereas buffalofish are. The smallmouth buffalo is recently realized as one of the longest-lived fishes, capable of living more than a century. The smallmouth buffalo is in decline across large portions of its range, and is subject to unregulated exploitation. Like the other buffalofish species, the smallmouth buffalo is targeted by modern bowfishing.

Source: Wikipedia — Smallmouth buffalo Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Deep-bodied silvery-bronze fish with small subterminal mouth; long sickle-shaped dorsal fin; deeply forked tail; small scales.

Similar species. Bigmouth Buffalo (terminal mouth; different shape). Black Buffalo (more elongate). Common Carp (introduced; barbels; very different).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Filter-feeds zooplankton, aquatic insects, small mollusks, organic detritus; specialized gill rakers separate food from water.

Behavior. Among the longest-lived US fish — recent radiocarbon dating of fish from Apache Lake (Arizona) verified individuals over 100 years old, with one fish at 112 years. Such extreme longevity is rare in fish and contradicts decades of assumed life-history data used for fisheries management. Historically harvested as commercial food fish in the Mississippi system. Native species often confused with invasive Asian carp due to body shape — but native buffalofish are critical to river ecosystems and conservation status.

§ Range

Mississippi River system

§ Habitat

Large rivers, oxbows

§ Threats

Habitat loss, dams, river channelization.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the smallmouth buffalo is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support river restoration. Buy native commercial buffalo.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Lackmann et al. 2019 (PLOS One
  • longevity research)
  • Missouri Department of Conservation
  • American Fisheries Society
  • IUCN Red List 2013