Buffalo or silver carp?

What does buffalo fish look like?

In Russian reservoirs you can find 3 types of ictiobuses:

• black;
• smallmouth;
• largemouth.

The characteristic representative of the genus is the large-mouthed buffalo, which has a valval body shape. Outwardly, it resembles a large crucian carp or carp. The differences can only be determined by carefully examining the fish:

1. Scales cover the entire body of the fish, like a carp. But its shade is darker, olive-gray with light tints. In juveniles, the back has a blue tint, which becomes lighter as it matures. The black buffalo is distinguished by a dark stripe on the upper body and at the base of the caudal fin.
2. Unlike cyprinids, the scales are weakly held. Part of it may fall off when transporting caught fish. The scales are larger than those of crucian carp of the same size.
3. When comparing silver crucian carp and buffalo, the fisherman will also note the different shape of the head. The buffalo's snout is rounded, its lips are thick, reminiscent of the lips of a silver carp, and covered with villi. There are no antennae at the corners of the mouth. The eyes are big.
4. The fin on the buffalo's back has a sharply elongated leading edge (keel) that protrudes above the rest. All cyprinids have a smooth top of the dorsal fin. The tail of the crucian carp is narrower and longer, and its ends are sharp.
5. The general body shape of the largemouth and black ictyobus resembles that of a carp. Smallmouth are similar to bream - the body height is greater, and it is more flattened on the sides.

Despite the prevailing opinion among fishermen that buffalo is some kind of hybrid of crucian carp, the fish belongs to the Chukuchanov family and is not biologically related to it.

We looked at fishermen's reports and marked on the map where to catch buffalo.

How is a male different from a female?

Outside the mating season, it is difficult to visually determine the differences. The body color of females has a brownish tint. The anal fin is rounded when extended. Males are gray-olive, with a dark back. The anal fin is triangular in shape.

The differences become more pronounced during the mating season. Females retain an even body color, while males have light tubercles scattered evenly throughout the body and head. Before spawning, the body shape of the female becomes wider in the abdominal area.

Buffalo fishing

The fish can be found in clean and warm waters, but it can also be found among algae. Often the buffalo is attracted not so much by its color as by its weight and size, since in the summer or spring it can reach a maximum weight of 10 kg. But you need to know about the period of its activity so as not to waste your time. So, most often the fish rises to the surface in the morning or evening, but not during frosts - then, on the contrary, it sinks deeper.

It is very successful to catch a whole flock, which usually gathers in the evening. After all, then you can get to very large specimens of this species. However, you should know in advance that buffalo has a very large reserve of fat, so there is not much meat there. This is why everyone wants to catch big specimens - not only for the trophy and self-esteem, but also for the amount of food.

In winter, you don’t even have to try to catch a buffalo, as it burrows into holes and goes into suspended animation. Also, you shouldn’t try to find these same holes - it’s just a waste of time.

Buffalo black, my experience of completing a budget quest in the game Trophy Fishing 2

fishing products for real fishing https://ali.pub/3plrzulink to the game https://vk.com/app5285951_374619029 Fishing simulator game. Large selection of tackle and bait. 3D Realistic images of fish and aquatic life. 3D Realistic images of fish and aquatic life: crayfish, frogs, toads, shellfish, turtles and others, there are also amphibians, newts and salamanders. A wide variety of red fish, salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, as well as sturgeon - beluga, stellate sturgeon, sturgeon, bester, paddlefish. Fishing spots around the world, you can fish in Africa on the Nile River, fish in China on the Yangtze River, fish in the USA on the Mississippi River. 3D Realistic images of fish and aquatic life. A large selection of gear and bait for an interesting fishing game. In this fishing game you can fish with a rod, fish with a spinning rod, or fish with a donkey. The best replays of the game are posted on this best YouTube channel for a review of the game Trophy Fishing 2. The game is suitable for children and adult fishermen. The black buffalo (lat. Ictiobus niger) is a ray-finned fish of the Chukuchan family. It lives in the Mississippi basin, mainly in the eastern tributaries of the Ohio and Tennessee, near the mouth of the Missouri. Commercial species. Introduced into the USSR in 1971, initially to a fish hatchery in Goryachiy Klyuch, then in 1974 to other pond farms in the European part of Russia and reservoirs of Altai. Released into the Kuibyshev and Saratov reservoirs. In Belarus, breeding began in 1976. Prefers muddy waters with a heavily silted bottom, shallow silted ponds and swamps. Stays in the bottom layers and resembles carp in behavior. https://ru.wikipedia.org/ wiki/%D0%A7%D1%91%D1%80%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%B1%D1%83%D1%84%D1%84%D0%B0%D0%BB %D0%BE#Blackbuffalo#Buffalo-black, #my experience #Trophy fishing2#TrophyFishing2#passing the quest#fishing games#esports#Blackbuffalo#Ictiobusniger#BüffelfischVideo Buffalo black, my experience of a budget quest in the game Trophy fishing channel 2 Vladimir Dzherikhov

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The black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) is a North American species of freshwater fish from the family Catostomidae. It lives in the Mississippi River basin and the southern parts of the Great Lakes.

Diseases and parasites

One of the reasons why it was not possible to achieve industrial production volumes of this fish lies in its increased sensitivity to diseases, including lerneosis.

This disease is caused in buffalo and many carp fish (crucian carp, carp, carp, etc.) by a special species of copepod, which reproduces in fresh water, but is able to overwinter on the body of the fish.

Most often, individuals in old silted ponds are exposed to diseases.

In order to counteract the disease, buffalo ponds are treated with chlorophos, and in the warm season the procedure should be carried out once a week.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the transfer of fish species. Water supply ponds must be equipped with filtration systems.

Difficulties in breeding

This fish is a valuable industrial item. But in order to breed it in compliance with all the necessary rules, it should be borne in mind that this fish is too susceptible to various diseases.

Lernaeosis occurs most often in industrial farms. This disease is diagnosed not only in buffalo, but also in carp and catfish. The carrier of the disease is the copepod, which lives in freshwater bodies of water in the summer and attaches itself to the body of the fish in the winter. Most often, this problem occurs in those reservoirs where the bottom is very silty.

To get rid of the disease, use Chlorophos. It is used to treat contaminated water bodies. Once a week it is recommended to use this product for preventive treatment. You also need to install a high-quality filtration system in the pond. And its new residents must be quarantined for two weeks before moving in. If the above measures are not followed, the entire fish family dies.

Indigenous habitats

Buffalo fish are an inhabitant of North American waters. Various species of Icthyobus are found there in calm, slow rivers, lakes and ponds with a heavily silted bottom and an abundance of aquatic plants. The black buffalo is characteristic of the Mississippi and Missouri basins, Ohio and Tennessee. Largemouth and smallmouth are most often found in Hudson Bay, Lake Saskatchewan (in Canada), almost all the Great Lakes, but are distributed to the southern United States and Northern Mexico, and live in the rivers of Louisiana (Mississippi basin).

Where can you meet it in Russia?

Large, commercially important American fish were brought to Russia in the 70s. last century

But buffalos were not adapted to local conditions. The experience of artificial breeding in the Goryachiy Klyuch nursery (Krasnodar Territory) turned out to be successful. In the reservoirs of this region, wild fish are now found.

Iktiobuses were released into the Kuibyshev and Saratov reservoirs. Fishermen in the Volga basin often encounter wild representatives of buffalo, mistaking them for large crucian carp. Black buffalo fish can be caught in Altai reservoirs. Artificial breeding is carried out throughout Russia; buffalo fishing is possible in fish farm ponds.

Commercial value

Icthyobus is a schooling fish and, depending on the water temperature, can live both at the bottom and in the middle layers. This breed is quite unpretentious and can be used for several purposes:

• industrial breeding;
• stocking ponds where paid fishing is carried out;
• as a decorative object.

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With proper feeding and warm water, by the age of two years a buffalo reaches half a kilogram in weight. Such growth rates make breeding this fish a very profitable activity. The maximum weight of an adult can be more than 18 kg. Catching such a trophy will be of interest to any fisherman.

The largemouth variety of buffalo can reach very impressive sizes.

The taste of this fish is at a fairly high level. Its meat has a high fat content and, unlike carp and crucian carp, does not have a grassy smell. The absence of small bones is also highly valued by gourmets. In addition, ictiobus is easily subjected to primary processing.

When to catch buffalo

The largemouth buffalo is the largest species

Buffalo fishing is no less entertaining than catching crucian carp or crucian carp, and therefore quickly captivates both professionals and amateurs. The best time for catching fish is summer, but in spring buffalo often enjoy a good bite. For example, in April you can find small locations of flocks of a hundred or more individuals, characterized by increased activity. The search for insect larvae and small crustaceans takes place in the bottom water column, including muddy sediments, as well as algae leaves. Therefore, buffalos are usually caught from the bottom, early in the morning or in the pre-sunset twilight. It is at this time of day that the buffalo is most active.

In places where schools are concentrated, you can catch fairly large representatives of the family weighing up to several kilograms. Buffalo meat has a higher content of fat and nutrients, and tastes superior to crucian carp meat. During the hot period, the fish rises to the upper layers of the water, hiding in the thickets of plants. The key to successful buffalo fishing is careful preparation, including the correct selection of equipment.

In winter, the buffalo takes refuge in deep holes and does not feed at all, falling into the so-called “anabiosis.” And hot days are perfect for catching it. The reservoir in which buffalo and burbot live is almost universal, because buffalo are excellently caught in hot weather, and burbot fishing will be successful on cold and bad days.

Kinds

There are three common species of this fish in nature, which also have another name – ictibus. The reservoirs are inhabited by largemouth, smallmouth and black buffalo. All three representatives live in Russian rivers, ponds and lakes. However, the most popular among fishermen is the largemouth buffalo. The fish of this species differs from its counterparts in its impressive size.

The homeland of this population is the reservoirs of North America, located between southern Canada and Mexico. It is widespread in the North Caucasus, Central Asia, and is found in water bodies of Transcaucasia, Ukraine and Moldova.

In 1971, the fish was brought to the Krasnodar region. Now the population is widespread in many Russian regions. It is inhabited by the Volga, Akhtuba and other rivers with suitable water temperatures. Where is buffalo fish found? It is found in many reservoirs of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. It is bred in reservoirs and lakes of the Urals.

Ictibus are heat-loving; reservoirs in which the water warms up well are suitable for their habitat. In cold ponds and lakes the population practically does not occur. Individuals feel great in muddy waters. In ponds and lakes where bighead carp and carp live, buffalo fish are uncomfortable. She is often affected by lerneosis.

The buffalo fish has a relatively tall body covered with scales. The description emphasizes that the body has a valval shape. The outline of a buffalo resembles that of a goldfish. The back is decorated with a long fin. Its first rays are higher than the subsequent ones. The head of individuals is moderately long. Its shape is similar to the heads of silver carp.

The backs are painted in dull brown shades, the fins are gray, and the sides are light tones. Buffalo river fish is close in color to carp. A photo of these fish species allows you to verify the similarity of their coloring.

Characteristics of known subspecies

Today, ichthyologists know three subspecies living in North America and Europe . These include:

• Black.
• Smallmouth.
• Largemouth.

All three of these subspecies are found in central Russia, but the most common is the large-mouthed buffalo, which is explained by its large size and rapid growth rate.

smallmouth buffalo

Smallmouth buffalo, which is not as common today and is rarely stocked, has the highest nutritional value. The taste of the meat is tender, subtle, and not muddy. The smallmouth buffalo feeds on insect larvae and various bottom inhabitants. When artificially reared, this subspecies gains excellent weight on protein carp feed.

Large specimens can reach a weight of 4-5 kilograms , however, due to the slow growth of the smallmouth buffalo, they are rarely bred on an industrial scale. Only in North America are rivers and rivers stocked with this subspecies.

Large Mouth Buffalo

The most common variety, which is characterized by rapid growth rates. Individual specimens can gain up to 30-40 kilograms. However, this is rather an exception, and the average weight usually does not exceed 15 kilograms. a marketable weight of 1-2 kilograms in literally two years.

This subspecies has a large head and a tall body. The largemouth buffalo does not have antennae in its mouth, which distinguishes it from large carp. The color of the scales can be either silver or dark black in fish that grew in rivers.

This subspecies is unpretentious to living conditions, which allows it to be grown even in flooded rice fields. The only condition is warm water, as well as the absence of other cyprinids in the reservoir. The latter is explained by similar diseases and pests that can quickly affect all aquacultures in a reservoir.

Black buffalo

Black buffalo is practically never found in Russia, as it is not artificially cultivated. Fish of this subspecies usually mature by the fifth year of life, and the average weight does not exceed 5 kilograms. Large individuals prefer a schooling lifestyle and behave like carp, gathering in large schools in spring and autumn.

Value as a fishery

Schooling fish live in thick waters and can be caught with any fishing gear. They are convenient to use for industrial breeding and for stocking ponds provided for paid fishing. Under suitable conditions (in warm water and with an abundance of food), two-year-old buffalo individuals can reach a weight of 300-500 g. They are caught according to the rules for catching crucian carp (on donkeys, feeders or float rods with bait made from pearl barley or dough, dung worms, etc. ). The black ictyobus is more careful and stays in the bottom layers of water; for fishing they use tools for carp or carp.

Already in the 3rd year of cultivation, the weight of the fish can reach 1-2 kg. When artificially stocking a reservoir with fish, this provides quick profits in comparison with carp or silver carp. The weight of an older buffalo carcass can reach more than 2.5 kg, and the maximum weight is about 19 kg (depending on the species). Buffalo fish reach large sizes (up to 1 m in length) and represent a good trophy even at a young age.

The taste of the meat is rated as high. The fish is high in fat and has no foreign odor. Compared to cyprinids, the content of small bones in the pulp is insignificant. Icthyobus are easy to clean: even on the belly, small scales can be easily removed with the movements of a knife. You can cook it in any way suitable for carp and other freshwater fish with delicate flesh.

What kind of fish is this

The name “Buffalo” combines five varieties of large chucuchan fish, mainly distributed in North and South America. In Russia there are three subspecies of buffalo: largemouth, smallmouth, and black. The beneficial properties of buffalo fish - caloric content, saturation of meat with omega-3 acids, phosphorus - are the same for all varieties.

They look unremarkable, as for a large inhabitant of fresh water. If it were not for their size - up to 130 cm in length and 20-25 kg of live weight - they can easily be confused with crucian carp. Only the body of the “buffalo” is noticeably more elongated, and the hard matte scales have a clearly defined dark contour. In our country, giants are rare; on average, a fish weighs 10-12 kg, and its length from the tip of the nose to the tail is no more than 65 cm.

Buffalo fish can weigh up to 12 kg with a length of 65 cm

Aquatic buffaloes choose the same habitats as carp and crucian carp. Their feeding method and tastes are also very similar, hence the almost identical shape of the mouth with plate-like teeth, movable fins, and streamlined back and belly. The color of the fish ranges from white to rich gray, with a barely noticeable tint of large scales of regular shape. The eyes are yellow and large. Along the edge of the fin of both black and largemouths and smallmouths there is a brown border.

Reproduction

Black buffalo spawn during the spring months and prefer flooded areas. Females tend to occupy areas around water banks, while males are evenly distributed throughout the area. Males swim next to the female until she lays eggs, after which they fertilize her. During spawning, black buffalo may exhibit agitated behavior. The spawning process often takes several days.

Spawning takes place from April to mid-June. Sexual maturity occurs at about two years of age, although sexually mature individuals are extremely difficult to distinguish from immature ones. Black buffalo prefer to spawn in areas with a lot of grassy vegetation and sandy and gravel bottoms. Females spawn several eggs at a time. The exact number of eggs per season has not been established, although it is known that throughout her life, one female produces on average about 9,000 eggs. The diameter of the caviar varies from 1.8 to 2.4 mm. Black buffalo fry grow quickly, averaging 134mm in their first year of life.

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The Black Buffalo provides very little parental input. Caviar has a sticky substance that allows it to remain in the selected area. The placement and adhesive shell provides the eggs with proper protection until the fry hatch. Adults choose areas with dense vegetation, which guarantees that the young will be provided with the necessary food. The fry grow quickly and are soon able to obtain their own food.

>Lifespan

The oldest recorded black buffalo lived to be 24 years old. These fish reach reproductive age by two years.

Seasonal fishing features

Buffalo is a heat-loving fish, so it is most active in Russian waters from May to September.

For successful fishing, it is important to correctly mount the tackle and choose the right attachment and composition of the bait mixture.

Spring

Fishing in the southern regions usually begins in the second half of April. At this time, the water is quite cold, so the heat-loving fish tries to avoid areas with strong currents and concentrates on the shallow coastal waters. In the spring, buffalo can be successfully caught with fly float tackle, which includes the following elements:

• telescopic rod with a length of 6 to 8 m;
• main line with a breaking load of at least 4 kg;
• float with a load capacity of about 2 g;
• leash with a diameter of 0.16–0.18 mm;
• hook No. 10 (according to international classification);
• set of pellet weights.

The choice of fishing rod must be approached very responsibly. Since Icthyobus is a strong fish that provides powerful resistance when fishing, you should not give preference to fast-action fishing rods. For such fishing, a soft “telescope” is much better suited, which can effectively dampen the buffalo’s jerks and prevent the leader from breaking.

Since spring fishing usually takes place in the coastal zone, where there is grass and other underwater objects, the main monofilament should have a diameter of at least 0.20 mm. The thickness of the leash is selected taking into account the size of the expected prey and its activity at the time of fishing.

On a note! There are days when the ictiobus is very picky and does not want to bite on rough equipment. In this case, the diameter of the driving monofilament can be reduced to 0.12 mm.

In the spring, buffalo bite better on a worm, so you shouldn’t go too small with the hook size. The float is loaded in such a way that the bulk of the weights are in close proximity to the bite alarm. A light feeder is installed 20 cm from the hook. This distribution of pellets allows the bait to slowly sink to the bottom, which corresponds to the natural behavior of the food and does not alarm the fish.

The map shows the places where the buffalo has most successfully acclimatized.

In cold spring water you need to use a minimum amount of bait. 500 g of dry mixture is enough for a whole day of fishing. It is better to refrain from using fragrances.

Summer

Summer is the most favorable period for buffalo fishing. As the water warms, the fish move further from the shore and begin to be caught at a depth of 2–4 m. Feeder gear, which includes:

• rod with test 40–80 g;
• 3500 series spinning reel;
• braided cord with a diameter of 0.14 mm;
• shock leader made of fluorocarbon monofilament 0.25 mm thick;
• a feeder weighing 50–70 g;
• leash with hook.

In the summer, the buffalo often stands in the current, so to catch it you will need a powerful rod that can be used to cast a heavy feeder. Since shells and other underwater objects may be present at the bottom of the reservoir, a fluorocarbon shock leader must be included in the equipment. This element will protect the main cord from chafing and increases the reliability of the gear. If in the spring the fish preferred bait of animal origin, then in warm water it reacts better to a variety of plant baits:

• canned corn;
• pellets;
• boilies;
• pressed cake.

In the summer, buffalo should be caught at dawn. Night fishing can also bring good results. A high-quality bait mixture with the addition of a sweet flavor will significantly increase the number of bites.

Autumn

With the onset of the first autumn frosts, Icthyobus sharply reduces its activity and begins to roll closer to the wintering pits. At this time, his captures are sporadic. In October, fish concentrate in local areas and are often caught with spinning baits.

Reference! In winter, the buffalo falls into a state close to suspended animation and remains in it until the ice completely disappears. During prolonged thaws, individual individuals may be caught on winter gear.

Main differences from crucian carp

The first thing that can be confused with a small imported buffalo is crucian carp. The “buffalo” is similar to the crucian carp familiar to every Russian angler in its color, skeletal structure, and arrangement of scales and fins.

Buffalo fish prefer to swim in the water column

To make sure that it was a buffalo and not an ordinary crucian carp who took the bait, you need to carefully examine the prey:

1. The body is elongated, as if the crucian carp was forcefully stretched in both directions.
2. There is a noticeably larger layer of fat, both on the belly and on the back.
3. The scales are light and fall off easily, while cleaning crucian carp is a hassle.
4. The shape of the head is closer to that of a silver carp - with a massive thickening in the upper part.

If fishing takes place in America, then everything is even simpler - crucian carp are practically not found there, and such giants as buffalo - 30-40 kg - do not exist in nature at all.

What to catch buffalo with

The eating habits and habits of buffalos are the same as those of crucian carp. Therefore, you can safely choose bait and bait for these two species according to one principle - based on their diet.

Mixtures prepared on the basis of:

• rye crackers
• millet and barley porridge
• oatmeal
• steamed peas
• semolina
• sunflower seeds
• top of the head

As elsewhere, mixtures prepared by yourself will work much better than store-bought feeder or specialized compositions with flavors and dyes.

Buffaloes are not deprived of a natural sense of smell. Whole schools of fish will come to the fishing spot if you flavor the bait with aromatic additives, such as cinnamon, garlic, vanilla, dill, plum or strawberry. For greater bite efficiency, aromatic components are added to both the bait and the bait before casting.

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The fish swims well on plant food without bright spots, but it prefers to bite on insect bait. You should make sure in advance that you have on hand: maggots, tormentors, dragonfly larvae, and water mosquitoes. It is advisable to use vegetable attachments such as peas, dough, corn and the like in combination with animals in “sandwiches”.

How and what to catch buffalo on Akhtuba

Fishing on Akhtuba for buffalo, of course, is not an end in itself - in these amazing places there is enough other, even more valuable prey for the fisherman, but the fairly decent size of this fish in most cases and fairly high taste qualities make it possible to place it in a cage.

Buffalo are caught in Three Rivers using the same gear as crucian carp and carp: donka, feeder, float rod. Despite the fact that buffalo often end up as bycatch for crucian carp, there are times and places (especially in spring, May and early autumn) when only buffalo starts to bite. The fact is that this is a schooling fish and, having found itself in a well-fed place “under the crucian carp,” it begins to sit on the hook literally every 3-5 minutes, creating the feeling that fishing has turned into a monotonous business. In a flock, buffalo individuals reach approximately the same size and the catch turns out to be what is called “measured”.

The bait for fishing for buffalo is the same as for crucian carp - a mixture of plant origin, possibly with the addition of bloodworms, chopped worms or freshwater shell meat - pearl barley (toothless). But with regards to baits, this North American fish is more prone to animal food and will only fall on corn or semolina by accident. The best baits for catching buffalo at any time of the year are worms, insect larvae, maggots, or their combinations with steamed grains (sandwich).

The bite, again, is similar to crucian carp - the float leads or slightly sinks without jerking. Don't try to hook the hook immediately during the first movements; wait a few seconds for the fish to swallow the bait. Do the hook sharply, but only with a movement of the wrist. Buffalo lips are fleshy and strong, there are few escapes, but lift the caught fish only with a landing net, otherwise you risk damaging the tackle and losing the crippled prey.

The best time to catch this fish is early morning and just before dusk, but buffalo can also be caught at night (in summer). On calm cloudy days, the bite, with varying intensities, practically does not stop throughout the daylight hours.

By the way, tenacious juvenile buffalo are excellent as live bait for fishing for such large predators of the Lower Volga as catfish, pike and pike perch.

The subtleties of fishing for buffalo

Buffalo is caught in almost the same way as crucian carp. Fish are usually caught from the bottom. The best bite happens during summer fishing with the onset of dawn or evening sunset. For fishing they use donks, fishing rods and feeders.

For winter fishing, a simple fishing rod designed for this season is suitable. A jig is suitable as bait. To fish with it, the method of vertical trolling is used.

For a successful catch, the fish should be fed. For each season they use their own bait designed for crucian carp. In addition, universal feed is used. Effective biting is achieved by using ready-made flavored baits.

Sometimes baits are scented independently at home. They are enriched with hemp and caraway seeds. A variety of oils and cakes are used for this purpose. Fish love baits with the aroma of anise, coriander and garlic. Suitable baits for fishing these fish include worms and maggots, corn and bloodworms, bread crumbs and pieces of dough, cereals (pearl barley, semolina or rolled oatmeal) and, of course, boilies.

>Buffalo

One of the varieties of fish of the Chukuchan family is the little-known buffalo. The name itself speaks of its American origin. But now, in addition to the reservoirs of the USA and Canada, it has moved to the European zone.

Buffalo comes in 3 types:

1. largemouth;
2. smallmouth;
3. black.

In appearance it is similar to traditional crucian carp and crucian carp. It is distinguished by a dark gray color with tints. Body of medium density. The back may have a bluish tint, becoming lighter as the individual grows.

Reaches good sizes, on average 8 kg with a length of 40-60 cm. Some individuals managed to gain 20 kg or more. In the homeland of this fish, in the floodplains of the Mississippi River, buffalos weighing over 30 kg are found.

Unlike crucian carp, with which it is periodically confused, the scales of this fish separate so easily that they fall off on their own during transportation.

Bait and groundbait for catching buffalo

Buffalo is an omnivorous fish, but the basis of its diet is zooplankton, so universal bait for crucian carp with the addition of bloodworms, worms and maggots is ideal as bait. For the nozzle you can use:

• boilies;
• dung worm;
• boiled or canned corn;
• dough;
• barley;
• Hercules;
• semolina.

It is recommended to produce food in the form of moderately dense balls, the correct consistency of which can be achieved through experimentation. The caution of the buffalo requires care in the baiting process, especially when the fish are closer to the surface, and the transparency of the water allows you to observe them. Flocks can quickly change places, so it is necessary to constantly attract their attention. On the other hand, frequent casting of bait can scare away an agile family for a long time. Correctly selected feed density allows it to keep its shape after getting wet and not sink to the bottom. If there are a lot of small fish in the pond in addition to buffalo, it is recommended to increase the size of the balls, otherwise the lion's share of the bait will be used for other purposes. Just like crucian carp, buffalo is keenly sensitive to aromatic additives, which significantly increase the effectiveness of complementary feeding. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to use fake flavors - fish responds excellently to the components of natural products. It is only necessary to observe a certain measure, the feeling of which comes from time to time, but a novice fisherman should adhere to the principle “it is better to have too little sleep than too much sleep.” The aroma of the bait should be pronounced, but not overly strong, otherwise the buffalo’s proposed lunch may be “rejected.” The following proven ingredients are used as bait additives available to any angler:

• coriander;
• ground roasted sunflower seeds;
• vanilla;
• dill;
• paprika;
• garlic;
• fennel;
• vanilla;
• honey;
• cocoa.

Some buffalo fishing experts advise changing bait flavors depending on weather conditions. On hot summer days, they recommend giving preference to sweet aromas, and in early spring - spicy ones. Carp attractants purchased at specialized retail outlets are also suitable for this purpose. Before forming balls from the bait mixture, a small amount of water is added to it to swell. Some ready-made baits require soaking for several hours, but this has nothing to do with homemade feeds made from porridge and bread.

Habitats

This fish prefers warm and muddy water, preferably even silted water. It is excellently bred in ponds as crucian carp and crucian carp.

Requires a higher temperature to live compared to other carp fish.

Often found in oxbow lakes, large rivers, floodplain lakes and stagnant river branches. In large rivers it does not like flowing areas with fast water.

It is characterized by a gregarious way of life and high stability even in unfavorable living conditions. On warm days, when the water warms up well, it goes into algae-covered areas of the reservoir.

In normal weather, it can stay in a flock in the water column or even live in the surface layers. In winter, it lies in holes, the bottom of which is silted, and stops feeding.

Buffalo and crucian carp: what is the difference

The United States is considered the birthplace of the buffalo. Fish appeared in Russia in the late 70s. A few years later, it successfully spread throughout the European part of the Russian Federation.

This is interesting! A hybrid of crucian carp and crucian carp does exist. It was bred in 1976 by breeders. The males of these hybrids are not capable of reproduction, and the females reproduce by gynogenesis.

Characteristic features of an “American”:

• body length varies from 35 to 120 cm;
• body weight can reach 35 kg;
• life expectancy is 14-20 years;
• medium or large head;
• large, pronounced eyes;
• the mouth is small with a horizontal slit;
• the dorsal fin has 6-7 rays (if viewed in profile, the fin is crescent-shaped);
• the tail is short with rounded ends.

The Chukuchan family prefers bodies of water with warm and turbid water. The ideal place is silted areas. Compared to cyprinids, chukuchanovs require warmer water for spawning. In the warm season, the buffalo goes to places with a lot of underwater vegetation. Icthyobus meat is much tastier and fattier than that of crucian carp or crucian carp. Plus, he's not that bony. “Sazanya Bay” is a fishing base with comfortable living conditions and affordable prices. Experienced huntsmen are ready to show you promising fishing spots and also tell you a few secrets of successful fishing.

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Fishing and fishing methods

Every year it is increasingly used for forced stocking of small ponds, lakes and reservoirs.

It is famous for its unpretentiousness for life in muddy and silty environments.

Its growth rate is not inferior to carp, which is common in our reservoirs.

One of the most promising fish for stocking natural reservoirs, where high productivity can be achieved with a good food supply.

Absolutely all types of buffalo are best grown together with carp and silver carp, with which they have a similar nutritional diet.

Tackle for catching buffalo is: a float rod, a feeder, and various donks. For bait, he prefers dung worms, boilies, corn, dough and various cereals (rolled oats, pearl barley, semolina).

And at the end of the video: catching a buffalo.

Fishing methods

The spawning time of crucian carp is at the end of May. It becomes much easier to catch him. It should be remembered that this fish is quite shy. Crucian carp is afraid of both predators and humans .
To fish in a specific place, you need to find a fishing spot and make a test bait. If it is clear that the place is promising, then it will be enough to choose the time and methods of catching this fish. It is also worth knowing some habits of goldfish :

• its habitat is bushes and snags. He tries to live and feed there;
• It is not recommended to catch goldfish in winter;
• In summer, crucian carp is best caught in the evening, when the heat subsides and it comes out to look for food;
• After the rain, silver crucian carp prefers to sit out. It is best to wait until the water becomes clearer;
• if the water level is high, then the crucian carp feeds at the bottom and waits until it subsides.

Now you need to understand in more detail which nozzle is best to choose. There are a number of specific rules :

1. If you decide to go for small goldfish , then pieces of dung worm are best;
2. Before planting the worm, you need to squeeze the soil out of it and wet the tip. For silver crucian carp this will be the greatest delicacy .
3. If you want to catch a larger specimen , then you will need several worms, which must wriggle on the hook. Otherwise, silver crucian carp simply will not approach it. The exception is severe hunger in fish.
4. Regarding the equipment . Do not forget that goldfish, especially adults, are very shy. Therefore, gear should be selected so that its color matches the characteristics of the reservoir. Thus, the gear itself should not stand out in any way against the background of all the natural elements near the reservoir.

Description

The black buffalo has a darkly colored back and dark green or golden sides. The dark color turns into light on the ventral surface of the body. These fish have a long dorsal fin, a rounded body and a compact head. Thick lips at the end of the head and a more streamlined body distinguish the black buffalo from other related species such as the largemouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) and the smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus). Various species of the genus Ictiobus can interbreed and form hybrids, which cause difficulty in distinguishing individuals in some populations of these fish. Adult fish have an average body length of 52 cm. In some cases, males may be darker in color. The fry are physically similar to the adults and differ only in size.

Where to catch buffalo

Buffalo is thermophilic, so it is extremely rare to find it in cold waters; The minimum temperature for the spawning period is + 15°. Being a school, the fish gains weight quite quickly and is very productive.

Buffalo is found in large natural or artificial fresh water bodies - rivers, lakes, ponds. It gives preference to shallow rivers with slow currents and muddy water; it rarely enters deep water. The most favorable for fish feeding are the southern regions of Russia, as well as reservoirs of energy facilities. Since the largemouth buffalo is poorly adapted for living in the waters of the post-Soviet space, domestic technologists have developed a method of growing fish through factory reproduction of cyprinids. For this purpose, huge broodstocks have been formed in many countries.

The search for promising places for catching buffalo is very similar to the same crucian carp. He also does not like fast currents and gives greater preference to muddy bottoms, creeks, and swampy areas rather than cold river mouths with a rocky bottom. Where there is crucian carp, there is buffalo.

Buffalo does not like deep water, trying to stay in shallow waters. You won’t find this fish on riffles, whirlpools or flat sections of the river with a fast current. To catch buffalo, choose calm and quiet areas of the reservoir, where he likes to spend almost all his time.

With a good food supply, the buffalo reaches 3 kg in the first three years of life, and after puberty, rapid mating behavior with abundant spawning is noted. Due to the presence of gluten in the composition and small size, caviar is unsuitable for consumption by other fish. This allows you to significantly accelerate the growth of the fish population and expand its habitat. In recent years, buffalo fishing has been available almost everywhere, and fishing is comfortable both from a boat and from the shore.

How to catch and what to use for buffalo fish

In the United States of America, fishermen catch buffalo mainly using float and bottom gear, less often with a feeder. We have adopted all the listed fishing methods, from which the appropriate one is chosen according to the conditions in the selected body of water.

Donks are assembled from budget components. You need a fishing rod that is flexible, but strong enough, especially when hunting large giant males. The equipment can be feeder feeders, nipples, “crucian carp killers” and other things that are usually purchased for crucian carp or crucian carp. Of course, with such rough gear it will be difficult to see careful fish bites, but with more sensitive gear there is a high risk of being left without a catch and with a broken line.

The feeder rod should be taken with a medium or slow action. This design will save the gear from damage if the buffalo behaves aggressively. The bite of this species is sharp; it has a habit of grabbing the bait and immediately tearing it to the side. The classic feeder is suitable, but the “flat” level will be richer if it is seasoned correctly - not with viscous, but with boiled light porridge with minced meat; omnivorous “buffalos” like treats with a crumbly consistency.

Float fishing will go to the rod with a swing at short distances. It is advisable to fish from a boat, because large fish are rarely brought to the “bald” shore, and it is easy to get the fishing line tangled in the reeds. For marinas and coastlines abounding in aquatic vegetation, plug-in forms are better suited.