Bigmouth Buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus
This species was found at 58 bioassessment sites, 2 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 37 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 96 distinct sites, or 6.3% of the 1512 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 51st most commonly collected species.
The Bigmouth Buffalo was collected in 68 bioassessment sampling sessions and 69 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 2 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.
The biological assessment program has collected a total of 1,148 individual Bigmouth Buffalo specimens, ranking it the #62 most collected fish.
Body color varies from bluish-green dorsally, shading to coppery-blue on the sides, then fading to a light bluish-gray belly. It has a deeply rounded body with small eyes set close to the snout. Its head is large, round, with thin lips surrounding a large, oblique mouth. The lateral line is complete with 32 to 40 large cycloid scales. The dorsal fin is sickle-shaped with 23 to 32 rays. Pharyngeal teeth are short and fragile with about 165 per arch. Adults commonly reach 15- to 27-inches long and weigh 2 to 14 pounds. Individuals over 40 pounds are not uncommon in commercial landings.
HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found