Buffalo is a fish that is a representative of the North American ichthyofauna. It is thermophilic and therefore almost never occurs in cold reservoirs.
It was introduced to our country in the seventies of the last century. Being a flock, buffalo fish are easily caught in large bodies of water. The most favorable areas for its cultivation are Transcaucasia and the North Caucasus, Ukraine, Moldova and Central Asia. It reproduces in early spring, when the temperature in the reservoirs reaches 17 degrees. Females lay eggs on the remains of vegetation or fresh grass. Caviar, which lays buffalo fish, is not eaten: it is very small and sticky. Fry hatch already on the fifth day. If there is a lot of natural food in ponds, then individuals can reach two kilograms of weight. According to its taste characteristics, buffalo fish are even better than crucian carp.
Varieties
The most common subspecies is a large buffalo buffalo fish, which has no antennae, thick lips covered with villi. In the United States, this variety is cultivated in rice plantations, where, due to its omnivorous nature, it can reach 15 kilograms. She prefers to settle in large rivers, ripening in the third year of life. Her body color is dark brown with a gray back and lighter sides. The fins are solid brownish gray. Usually, fishing at any time is quite fruitful, but in the hot months it, hiding from the direct sun, hides in dense thickets, remaining, however, in the surface layers of water. Another buffalo fish - small-breasted - has a lighter color: the back is grayish-bronze, and the sides are with a golden hue.
She prefers cleaner water and faster flow. This subtype practically does not enter shallow water. By breeding type, it is close to its large-mate breeding stock, however, it matures a year later due to its habitat in colder waters. Black buffalo was brought to our country from the Mississippi basin. He prefers a silty bottom and holds deep, reminding by the nature of his behavior carp.
Fishing
Many Volga fish, including buffalo, are excellently caught from a boat, with a fishing rod and feeder. In the first case, you can often catch large individuals that do not come close to the coast, preferring to stay in deep places. The best season when buffalo fish is caught especially well is summer. The universal rod is best suited for fishing - a fishing rod and bait - maggot, worm, barley, bloodworm, as well as dough and crumb bread.
Growing
In our country, such a technology was developed for breeding buffalo fish, which is based on the factory method of reproduction of cyprinids. Large broodstock are formed in many areas. The basis of the food of adults of all three varieties of buffalo, especially bold, is zooplankton.
At the same time, when propagating in ponds, this fish, although less active than carp, consumes animal feed. The most favorable conditions for the reproduction or feeding of buffalo fish are considered to be the southern regions of the country and cooling ponds of some energy facilities.
In cooking
Unlike silver carp or buffalo carp, fish is not considered a frequent guest in our kitchen, although special skills and any exotic products are not needed to prepare a delicious dish from it. It is equally tasty and fried, and boiled, and pickled.