Wed, 06 May 2026 02:58:20 +0000

Buffalo Fish That Silently Conquered Rivers—The Hidden Crisis That Won’t End Beneath the shifting currents of America’s great rivers lies a story of quiet dominance and ecological unease: the silent rise of buffalo fish. Once revered as traditional native species integral to freshwater ecosystems, buffalo fish—particularly Ictalurus spp., including species like brown buffalo, clouded buffalo, and tornillos—are now asserting dominance in ways that reshape river habitats and challenge conservation efforts. This underreported phenomenon marks a hidden crisis: buffalo fish are not just surviving—they’re thriving, outcompeting native species, and transforming once-balanced aquatic worlds into battlegrounds of adaptation. ### Who Are the Buffalo Fish Taking Over Our Rivers? Buffalo fish belong to the catfish family (Ictaluridae) and are known for their hardiness, omnivorous diets, and ability to endure low-oxygen environments. Among the most influential are: