Ictiobus

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Buffalo

Bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Suborder:	Cobitoidea
Family:	Catostomidae
Genus:	Ictiobus Rafinesque, 1820

Species

See text.

Ictiobus is a genus of freshwater fishes known as buffaloes. Buffaloes are a freshwater, thriving fish. They are a one-of-a-kind fish because they don't look much like any other fish. Although they do have a small resemblance of a carp, or even some species of trout. They are sometimes mistaken for carp because of their, large, shiny, scales along their body.

Buffalo, being a freshwater fish, can be found in all different types of water bodies. Such as, lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, and most any other water body that contains panfish.

From a fishermen's point of view, a buffalo is not a popular fish to angle for because they are rare to catch. They can sometimes put up a nice fight. These fish aren't popular to eat. But this fish does not change the fantastic fun of fishing!

[edit] Species

Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus
Bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus
Fleshylip buffalo, Ictiobus labiosus
Usumacinta buffalo, Ictiobus meridionalis
Black buffalo, Ictiobus niger

Buffaloes are known to live in most any water body that contains panfish. Their diets are like a regular fish's: almost anything that goes by that is edible is eaten.

Buffalo have a distinguished look. They look alike to carp, and some species of trout because of their flat face and large silver scales running across their body. Their differ from carps by a lack of whisker like appendages under the lip.

From a fishermen's point of view, buffalo aren't any special to angle for since they are rare to catch along with panfish that are in the area. Though they can grow to large sizes, not a thriller to catch. But that doesn't mean they won't give you a fight.