Ictiobus niger (Rafinesque, 1819)
Black buffalo
Ictiobus niger
photo by Lyons, J.

Family:  Catostomidae (Suckers), subfamily: Ictiobinae
Max. size:  123 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 29 kg; max. reported age: 24 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: lower Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Michigan and Ohio to South Dakota and south to Louisiana in the USA; on Gulf Slope in Sabine Lake, Brazos River and Rio Grande drainages in Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico in the USA, and Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits ponds and backwaters of small to large rivers. Also lives in impoundments and lakes. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Feeds on Asiatic clam, algae, diatoms and crustaceans (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 November 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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