About Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque, 1818)
Description: Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) have dorsal coloration ranging from shades of gray to brown and coppery green, with ventral coloration from pale yellow to white. Fin color matches the section of the body the fin attaches to, and fins are generally darker toward their tips. This species has a characteristically stocky build, with a hump rising from behind the operculum. Both pectoral and anal fins protrude ventrally; the caudal fin has equal-sized even lobes. The dorsal fin extends from the top of the hump to form a blunt point, then becomes shorter and continues along the rest of the body to the base of the tail. Typical adult smallmouth buffalo reach a length of 40–60 cm (16–24 in). Some individual specimens have been recorded reaching up to 30.1 kg (66.4 pounds) in weight and 101.5 cm (40.0 in) in length. Habitat: The smallmouth buffalo is a hardy fish that most often lives in clear, moderate to fast-moving streams, though it is occasionally found in some lakes and ponds. It prefers waters with dense aquatic vegetation and a silty bottom. It has a high tolerance for hard water and can survive in waters with a pH range of 6.5–8.5.
