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Southern buffalo (Ictiobus meridionalis) — Catostomidae

Southern buffalo

Ictiobus meridionalis
Family: Catostomidae

The Southern buffalo (Ictiobus meridionalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Catostomidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The southern buffalo is a sucker (Catostomidae) from rivers and lakes of Central America. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a robust, deep, silver-grey body with large scales and an inferior mouth with fleshy lips. As a bottom-dweller it sucks up insect larvae, molluscs, small crustaceans, plant material and detritus over sand and mud bottoms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern buffalo?

The Southern buffalo has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Southern buffalo live?

The Southern buffalo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Southern buffalo get?

The Southern buffalo grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Southern buffalo dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern buffalo is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke buffelvis sourced
English name
Southern buffalo sourced
Scientific name
Ictiobus meridionalis
Family
Catostomidae
Other names
Usumacinta buffalo verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
50 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ictiobus

More from the family Catostomidae

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