Ictiobus niger
(Rafinesque, 1819)
Common Name:
Black Buffalo
Synonyms and Other Names:
Identification:
The body of the Black Buffalo is slightly compressed, nearly round, and more slender than other Ictiobus spp. The back is slate to bronze, with a greenish overcast, sides are bronze, and the belly is lighter in color. FIns are dark olive to slate. The head and snout are broadly rounded. The mouth is small and contains short, narrow, and fragile pharyngeal teeth. There are approximately 195 teeth per arch. The dorsal fin is sickle shaped with 27-31 rays, the anal fin has 8-9 rays, and pelvic fin 9-11 rays. Breeding males will have minute tubercles (small bumps) on the sides of its head. Breeding males can also be blackish in color and without tubercles (Becker 1983). Common hybridization among buffalo species has caused difficulty in identifying individual species (Dahline 2014). Current genetic analyses methods cannot consistently distinguish Black Buffalo from other buffalo species (Underhill and Schmidt 2016).
Size:
93 cm.
Native Range:
Mississippi River basins from Ohio to South Dakota and south to Louisiana; on Gulf Slope in Sabine Lake, Brazos River, and Rio Grande drainages in Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico (Page and Burr 1991).
Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Underhill (1986) reported Ictiobus niger as introduced into Lake Michigan and Lake Huron drainages. All ‘Black Buffalo’ caught in the the Great Lakes (as of 2017) have been hybrids with Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus niger x cyprinellus) [personal communication Mandrak 2017].
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Ictiobus niger are found here.
Full list of USGS occurrences
Table last updated 4/25/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
The Black Buffalo has received little biological study but is assumed to be similar to the Smallmouth Buffalo. Ictiobus spp. are known to be successful in reservoirs, medium-large rivers, and some natural lakes. The Black Buffalo and Smallmouth Buffalo have been observed to prefer deeper waters than the Bigmouth Buffalo (Etnier and Starnes 1993). In Minnesota Black Buffalo are known to be vulnerable to habitat degradation. Dams are expected to have significant impacts to this species due to impaired fish passage and reduced habitat availability (Underhill and Schmidt 2016). Spawning most likely occurs in April and May (Becker 1983). Black Buffalo are known to breed in streams and ponds with rapid flow, and in sand, gravel, and vegetative substrate (Breder and Rosen 1966). Spawning is not well studied but fish have been observed to aggregate in large numbers to spawn, post-spawning large amounts of eggs were found in the vegetation at the spawning site (Becker 1983). One female may mate with several males (Breder and Roseen 1966). This species will hybridize with Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus).
The Black Buffalo may have a more benthic diet that other Ictiobus spp. Reportedly the introduced Asiatic clam is the largest part of its diet in addition to small amounts of algae, diatoms, crustaceans, and presumably native mollusk species (Etnier and Starnes 1993). Becker (1983) also notes that insects and water plants including duckweed have been observed to be a part of this species’ diet. Other fish species including Rock Bass prey on Black Buffalo and their eggs (Dahline 2014).
Great Lakes Means of Introduction:
Stocking of buffalofishes (unidentified species, but potentially including Ictiobus niger) occurred in Lake Erie in Ohio (Leach 1921, 1923).The Wisconsin introduction was likely the result of transplant associated with fish rescue operations from the Mississippi River in the 1930s (Becker 1983).
Great Lakes Status:
Hybrid populations (I. niger x I. cyprinellus) are overwintering and reproducing in Lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie. It remains uncertain whether or not any pure I. niger remain present in the Great Lakes. Pure I. niger are protected species in the inland waters of Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Current research on the environmental impact of Ictiobus niger in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment. The Black Buffalo was assessed by Howeth et al. (2015) to have low ecological impact in the Great Lakes based on expert questionnaire. Hybridization among Ictiobus spp. is common (Dahline 2014), although all are non-native to the Great Lakes, purebred populations in inland lakes may be at risk from hybridization. The Black Buffalo is a known host of the parasite Lernaea cyprinacea (Demaree 1967), but impact to native fishes is uncertain.
There is little or no evidence to support that Ictiobus niger has significant socioeconomic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Consumption of buffalofish has been sporadically associated with Haff disease-like illnesses involving sudden onset muscle pain and weakness due to skeletal muscle rhabdomyolysis (Literman et al 2023), however, only one case has been traced to I. niger (Deeds et al., 2022).
Ictiobus niger has a moderate potential beneficial effect in the Great Lakes.
Ictiobus niger feed on non-native golden clams (Corbicula fluminea) 1mm to 3mm long suggesting they are likely also predators for small Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) (Molloy et al. 1997; French 1993). Black Buffalo have seen historic and continued use as game fish (Dahline 2014), though not particularly popular in the Great Lakes region.
Management:
Regulations In Minnesota Black Buffalo are listed as a threatened species. Further research into potential threats to the species, including dams, and further research into the species itself are required to determine necessary management. Minnesota’s recent Clean Water Legacy Program is expected to positively impact Black Buffalo habitat through nutrient and sediment load reductions (Underhill and Schmidt 2016).
Black Buffalo are threatened in Wisconsin, and are thus illegal to take, transport, possess, process, or sell within the state (State Statute 29.604)
Black Buffalo are listed as a species at risk in Canada (SARA Registry).
Note: Check federal, state, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
There are no known methods of biological control for Ictiobus bubalus.
Physical
Physical control has not been studied specifically for Ictiobus bubalus. General methods of physical control for fish include accelerated water velocity, physical barriers, pressurized hot water/steam, hot water thermal barriers , removal of catch limits, reservoir drawdowns, traps, nets, electrofishing, and combinations of treatments (GLMRIS 2011, Meronek et al. 1996). Patrick et al. (1985) observed that air bubble curtains have been successful in deterring various species of fish—especially when used in conjunction with strobe lights.
Chemical
Chemical piscicides antimycin A and rotenone are general piscicides, the use of which has not been studied on Ictiobus bubalus. These piscicides are toxic to other species and can cause non-target kills (GLMRIS 2012).
Careful consideration should be taken with chemical methods to reduce impact to non-target species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
In the early 1900s all three species of buffalofishes were stocked; I. bubalus, I. cyprinellus, and I. velifer (Leach 1921, 1923). However, when the stockings were reported they were lumped together as "buffalofish" and it is not possible to determine which species were planted. Stocking of buffalofishes occurred outside their native ranges in Lake Erie in Ohio, the Pee Dee and Catawba drainages in North Carolina, and in unknown locations in Massachusetts (Leach 1921, 1923).
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Fuller, P. and K. Hopper
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
1/10/2024
Peer Review Date:
8/23/2004
Citation for this information:
Fuller, P. and K. Hopper, 2024, Ictiobus niger (Rafinesque, 1819): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=363&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron, Revision Date: 1/10/2024, Peer Review Date: 8/23/2004, Access Date: 4/25/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.