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black buffalo

black buffalo (Ictiobus niger)
Photo © Uland Thomas

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The black buffalo has a sickle-shaped dorsal fin. All its fins are dark, and some of the fins may have white around the edge. The lateral line is complete. The conical head has a small mouth that is almost horizontal. The front of the upper lip is below the lower edge of the eye. The section of the back that is in front of the dorsal fin is rounded or weakly keeled. The back and sides are brown or black with a copper-and-green sheen. The belly is white or yellow. The breeding male has darker coloration than in nonbreeding condition and may have tubercles on his head, body and fins. Adults to may reach 37 inches in length.

BEHAVIORS
The black buffalo lives in rivers, lakes and impoundments, swimming in schools. It feeds on clams, crustaceans, other small aquatic invertebrate animals and algae. Spawning occurs in spring. In rivers, this species is more likely to be found in strong currents than the other buffalofishes.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Catostomidae

Illinois Status: common, native