Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, deep; color golden greenish or blue, lighter on sides, belly yellowish white; lips thick, mouth subterminal, slightly oblique, upper jaw shorter than snout, upper lip below eye level, no barbels on corners of mouth; has a predorsal keel (low rounded ridge in front of dorsal fin origin); dorsal fin long, 1st 6-7 anterior rays elongate; pelvic fins inserted behind pectoral fins mid-body; anterior rays of anal fin elongate; eye near tip of snout; snout short, blunt; head gradually more slender than body; fins dusky. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the carp but doesn't have barbels on the corner of its mouth as the carp do. The bigmouth buffalo has an largely oblique terminal mouth; the smallmouth buffalo has a slightly oblique subterminal mouth. |
Habitat |
Freshwater, rivers, reservoirs, lakes, prefers waters with moderate current; enters low salinity bays |
Maximum Size |
112 cm (3 1/2 ft), common to 58.5 cm (23 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. 22-30; A. 9-10 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |