Black buffalo were not taken at the upper station on the Neosho and were
rare at other stations. Small-mouthed buffalo were taken at all stations
and were common in the lower portions of the two streams. While the
shocker was being used, buffalo were often seen only momentarily,
thereby making specific identification impossible; both species were
frequently taken together, and for this reason are discussed as a unit.
Both species maintained about the same level of abundance throughout my
study.
The two species were taken most often in the deeper, swifter currents of
the mainstream, but were sometimes found in pools, creek-mouths and
backwaters. On several occasions in the summer of 1959, buffalo were
seen in shallow parts of long, rubble riffles, with the dorsal or caudal
fins protruding above the surface. Ernest Craig, game protector, said
buffalo on such riffles formerly provided much sport for gig-fishermen.
He stated that the best catches were made at night because the fish were
less "spooky" then than in daytime. In my collections made by use of the
shocker, buffalo were taken more frequently at night (Table 9, p. 402).
On 19 June, 1959, I saw many buffalo that seemed to be feeding as they
moved slowly upstream along the bottom of a riffle. The two species,
often side by side, were readily distinguishable underwater.
Small-mouthed buffalo appeared to be paler (slate gray) and more
compressed than the darker black buffalo. To test the reliability of
underwater identifications, I identified all individuals prior to
collection with a gig. Correct identification was made of all fish
collected on 19 June. The smallest individual obtained in this manner
was 18.5 inches T. L. On 26 August, 1959, 16 small-mouthed buffalo were
captured and many more were seen while the shocker was in use in the
same riffle for one hour and ten minutes. One small-mouthed buffalo was
caught while the shocker was being used in the pool below that riffle
for one hour and fifty minutes. No black buffalo were taken on 26
August.
Spawning by buffalo was not observed but probably occurred in spring;
all mature fish in my earliest collections (mid-June of each year) were
spent. Small-mouthed buffalo reach maturity at approximately 14 inches
T. L.
#Carpiodes carpio carpio# (Rafinesque)