Description of buffalo fish and where it lives, the difference from crucian carp and tips for catching

Russian fishermen sometimes catch American buffalo fish, which look like trophy crucian carp of unusual size. However, this species is in no way related to fish from the genus Cyprinidae. What they have in common is only a distant resemblance in appearance. In order not to confuse the ictyobus with other local inhabitants of rivers and lakes, it is important to understand its physical characteristics, behavior and how you can catch it.

What kind of fish is this

Buffalo fish, which is regularly confused with crucian carp, is a noteworthy representative of the Chukuchanov family. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a relative of the crucian carp and was not created by mating with another species. Buffalo are native to lakes and rivers in the United States and Canada. Three varieties of this fish are successfully cultivated in Russia.

What does it look like

This fish shares some similarities with traditional largemouth carp or crucian carp, but also has distinct characteristics unique to this American migrant. It's worth taking a closer look at these features.

The American Buffalo has the following features:

• body length from 30 to 130 cm;
• maximum weight up to 36 kg;
• life expectancy 13-19 years;
• body shape is either flat or cylindrical;
• medium or large head size;
• arched back;
• large and protruding eyes;
• small mouth;
• long 6th and 7th ray dorsal fins, similar to a sickle when viewed in profile;
• the dorsal and lateral color varies from light gray to dark bluish. At the same time, females have a brownish tint;
• the belly is usually white or gray;
• rounded gray fins;
• short, round tail.

Life cycle

Representatives of the Chukuchan family are not hybrids - they are a full-fledged, independent species of fish. They prefer bodies of water with warm and muddy water, especially in silty areas. Compared to carp, buffalo require warmer temperatures to grow and reproduce. In the summer months, Icthyobus moves into algae-covered areas of water bodies.

Buffalo can be found in river bends, lakes, floodplain ponds and large rivers.When fishing on large rivers, it is recommended to stay away from areas with fast currents. Buffalo usually live in groups and swim in the upper layers of the water.

Habitat

Buffalo are native to the slow-moving rivers, streams and lakes of North America that contain a lot of algae and other aquatic plants on their bottoms. The largest numbers of all three species of the Chukuchan family can be found in Ohio and Tennessee.

Largemouth buffalo can be found in Canadian rivers and lakes. Smallmouth do particularly well in Hudson waters. In the 1980s, ictyobuses were imported to Russia, but unfortunately the climate was not suitable for them to breed successfully, as they do in America. Fortunately, they were able to adapt well to life in the reservoirs of the Saratov region in southern Russia and in the Don River basin.

Fish farming has become a popular activity, with fish farms seeking to increase the Icthyobus population. These aquatic creatures are usually easy to spot:

• in areas with slow-moving, muddy water;
• in river beds overgrown with algae;
• and also in pockets near the thresholds.

Similarities and differences with crucian carp

Fishermen often confuse silver crucian carp and ictyobus. However, there are some clear differences between buffalo and representatives of the cyprinid genus.

1. The scales of buffalo fish come off easily, so if handled roughly, they may lose part of their protective shell. On the other hand, the scales of the crucian carp are very strongly attached to its skin; When cleaning, it's usually easier to cut it off than to try to peel it off.
2. In terms of taste and nutritional value, buffalo fish is superior to all other carp species, including crucian carp. In addition, buffalo have much less bone in their muscle tissue compared to crucian carp.
3. In addition, the shape of their heads is significantly different.The buffalo has an oval snout with prominent eyes and voluminous lips covered with stubble, while there are no whiskers at the corners of the mouth.
4. Moreover, when looking at both species in profile, one can notice differences in their dorsal fins. While the dorsal fin of cyprinids remains flat on top, in Icthyobus it is characterized by an extended leading edge that protrudes above the rest of the fin.
5. Another difference between the two fish is the shape of their tails: the buffalo's tail is short and rounded, while the crucian carp's is long and thin.
6. They also differ in color - the buffalo's back appears bluish and the body is dark gray with shades, while carp do not have such shades.
7. Finally, adult buffalos can weigh up to 36 kg, while crucian carp usually do not exceed 3.8-4.2 kg.

Varieties

There are three varieties of ictyobus with different characteristics: largemouth, smallmouth and black. All these species are found in Russian rivers, ponds and lakes. At the same time, the largemouth ictyobus looks most attractive to amateur fishermen due to its large size.

smallmouth buffalo

This is the type of fish that has the greatest nutritional value. It grows more slowly than its largemouth relative and reaches sexual maturity in its third or fourth year. Due to the short, sparse stamens, this fish is unable to filter plankton through its gills. Juveniles feed mainly on zoobenthos, which makes up half of their diet when they weigh up to one hundred grams. Two-year-olds feed mainly on the larvae of other aquatic inhabitants. This species also happily eats detritus. Carp food is also suitable for him.

Largemouth

Buffalo largemouth grows faster than other species.This fish has the gill apparatus of a planktivore and is completely covered with scales. The mouth is located high, it is wide, and there are villi on the thick lips.

This species of Icthyobus usually lives in rivers or ponds and is not found in salt water bodies. In America, these fish are kept in ponds located among fields of corn and sorghum, reaching marketable weight within one to two years with an average weight of thirteen kilograms. However, there is evidence that individuals grew to 33-46 kilograms.

The spawning period begins in March and continues until the water temperature drops to 14-16˚C in late summer. The female fish lays small, sticky eggs on aquatic plants. Young fish mainly consume small crustaceans for food, while adults feed on zooplankton and the larvae of other aquatic creatures. It is known that in artificial reservoirs they willingly eat human-prepared mixtures.

Black ictiobus

This species reaches sexual maturity in the fourth or fifth year of life. Like carp, they gather in large numbers during the spawning period, as well as in the fall, when the water temperature drops to 13-15˚C. The fish stays near the bottom in groups and actively consumes food.

Spawning and reproduction

Male buffalo fish become sexually mature at the age of three to four years, while this period differs for females. This usually occurs around the age of five. The weight of an adult can vary between 2-3 kilograms. Spawning occurs once a year, but only when the water temperature is between 15-23°C. The reproductive period begins around mid-March and continues until the end of summer.

Buffalo fish spawning involves several features.

1. The females, identifiable by their brownish backs and pale sides, lay their eggs on rocks, submerged roots and aquatic vegetation, while the males make loud leaps out of the water to attract attention.
2. Only one male is allowed to fertilize the eggs; after fertilization, they look like crucian caviar.
3. It takes about a week from fertilization to reaching the larval stage, after which the fry move to warmer surface waters. In the first month of life, these fry feed on plankton, small crustaceans and water beetles.

Tips for fishermen

Buffalo fishing is an interesting and exciting activity. There are three varieties of these fish, and all of them are popular with anglers. These fish reach large sizes in a relatively short period of time, increasing the chances of catching a noticeable specimen.

Spring fishing

The best fishing for ictiobus can be expected towards the end of April. It is better to look for fish in coastal waters with a slow current in shallow water. For successful fishing during this period, you should use a fly fishing float rod with a telescopic rod at least 6-9 m long; use a string with a load of 4 kg as the main fishing line.

The carrying capacity of the gear should be about 2 g. Use a carp hook of size 10. Shot weights are the most popular choice.

When going buffalo fishing, it's a good idea to use fast spinning rods that can withstand the force of large fish.Soft telescopic rods are preferred as they absorb jerks when pulling and prevent the line from breaking. In spring, a worm should be used as bait, adding virtually no additional flavorings.

Summer

Fishing in the summer season is especially successful because ichthyobus fish prefer warmer water. When the water temperature rises, the fish accumulate at a depth of 2 to 4 meters. To take home a trophy catch, it is best to use a feeder rod with a test weight of 30 to 70 g and a reelless reel number three thousand five hundred. Also a twisted cord D = 0.13 mm as a thread, a feeder weighing from 50 to 70 g.

In summer, the ichthyobus chooses places with strong currents. When choosing fishing rods, it is important to purchase ones that are powerful and reliable. As for bait, a good choice would be:

• boiled corn;
• various types of porridge;
• dough.

In addition, sweet bait mixtures with various flavors usually ensure success. The most effective time to fish is just before dawn or at night.

Autumn

Depending on the temperature, the buffalo's activity changes dramatically. At the end of October, when the first frosts set in, the fish swim near the pits where they are going to spend the winter. On warm and sunny days, you will be able to see a few bites on jigs, but this is hardly called successful fishing. As winter approaches, buffaloes enter a state of dormancy, and attempts to catch the coveted fish will not be successful until all the ice disappears from the lake.

When choosing bait and lures, you should remember that buffalo is an omnivorous fish, the main diet of which consists of zooplankton. The same bait that is used for catching crucian carp, carp, bream or carp will also be effective for buffalo.To achieve the best results when using plant-based bait, you can add bloodworms to the mixture.

Common lures for catching ictyobus include:

• worms;
• boiled or canned corn;
• porridge: pearl barley, barley, semolina;
• various types of dough.

Fishing success depends on caution and the ability to keep the caught trophy in place. Casting bait at the appropriate time is critical to avoid spooking the buffalo. Making bait in the form of small balls of moderate density is an excellent option. The bait must be able to maintain its shape for a long time without sinking to the bottom of the reservoir.

Natural flavors will help attract fish and make them bite better. But you should be careful when adding flavorings, as too strong a smell will have an adverse effect. Hemp and cumin extracts are known to work well as flavoring agents.

Application

In Russia, breeding of this species on an industrial scale has not been successful due to their increased susceptibility to diseases.

One of the most destructive is lerneosis, which is caused by a type of crustacean that attaches itself to fish during hibernation. This problem usually occurs in ancient reservoirs with littered bottoms.

For effective breeding and cultivation in industrial conditions, it is necessary to treat reservoirs weekly with chlorophos and equip them with first-class filtration systems.