Species profile
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Identify Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 5 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 7 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 419 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Some individuals have been documented living over 100 years, making them among the longest-lived freshwater fish in North America.
- North America's largest native sucker fish, with records exceeding 70 pounds.
- A filter feeder that strains plankton and organic matter from the water using specialized gill rakers.
- Native to large rivers and lakes of central North America, from southern Canada to the Gulf states.
- Often mistaken for the invasive common carp, but is a native species and lacks the carp's distinctive barbels.
Where Bigmouth Buffalo are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Bigmouth Buffalo
Protected status
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Bigmouth Buffalo. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) also known as the gourd head, redmouth buffalo, buffalo fish, bernard buffalo, roundhead, or brown buffalo, is a large species of the Catostomidae or "sucker" family.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Bigmouth Buffalo article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Bigmouth Buffalo?
Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 7 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Bigmouth Buffalo?
Bigmouth Buffalo is Ictiobus cyprinellus.
Is Bigmouth Buffalo regulated for fishing?
Yes — Bigmouth Buffalo has fishing regulations in 5 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Bigmouth Buffalo?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Bigmouth Buffalo along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.