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This species came to Russia and Europe from America. Previously, river buffalo could only be caught in the cold waters of the Mississippi, but today, its habitat has expanded significantly. The species was released into reservoirs, and private breeders began offering trophy fishing trips. A close relative of carp and crucian carp, it quickly became very popular. In this publication, we'll explain why this fish has earned such attention, describing its characteristics, types, and differences.
What is the American relative of the carp?
Besides being related to the common carp, buffalo belong to the sucker family. It shares similarities with its relatives, the crucian carp, which are well known and loved in Russia. There are some differences, however, which look like this:
· The body is painted in very dark tones, and the body is elastic and dense.
· There is a blue stripe running down the back, but over time, as the individual grows, it disappears.
Types and benefits of buffalo fish
Today, we have three species of buffalo: black, smallmouth, and largemouth. Their advantages:
· Buffaloes have very tasty meat.
· Over the course of a season they grow to a decent size, reaching a length of 60 cm.
· The weight of an individual can reach 10-20 kg.
In their native America, buffalo can gain even more weight, up to 30 kg. This is due to their diet. In their native land, buffalo eat plankton and various bugs, while in Russian waters, the fish mostly feed on artificial feed.
How to distinguish buffalo from crucian carp?
Although buffalos have similarities with our crucian carp, it is very easy to distinguish them.
1. The main difference from the silver carp is that the buffalo's scales are more pliable, especially in the belly area.
2. The fish is not as bony, and in terms of taste and low-calorie qualities, it surpasses its close relative, the crucian carp.
3. Buffalo also lead in weight. It's not uncommon to catch fish weighing 15 kg.
4. Buffalo meat contains a whole range of useful vitamins A, B, PP, as well as many metals and minerals.
Where to catch buffalo?
These specimens can be caught in the waters of the Krasnodar Krai. They migrated to the Soviet Union at the end of the last century, in 1971, where they quickly gained popularity and demand.
After the fish became established in Russian waters, they began to be bred in lakes, ponds, rivers, and fish farms across the country. Today, it's possible to catch buffalo of all varieties.
Let's sum it up
This fish puts up a great fight, and hauling a 10-kilogram buffalo out of the water isn't easy. The thrill and struggle of fishing for such a fish is always at its highest level, and many anglers love buffalo for this very reason.
These days, offers for sport buffalo fishing trips are common. It's worth noting that by visiting the Putorana Plateau fishing routes, anglers will have more serious opportunities. On trophy tours in the Siberian taiga, you can hunt not only carp but also large taimen.
