https://www.nature.com/articles/s42...sDe8SiHwTTOybABpiCg41ycm-isdwXlykTqPGM0k

Abstract: Understanding the age structure and population dynamics of harvested species is crucial for sustainability, especially in fisheries. The Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) is a fish endemic to the Mississippi and Hudson Bay drainages. A valued food-fish for centuries, they are now a prized sportfish as night bowfishing has become a million-dollar industry in the past decade. All harvest is virtually unregulated and unstudied, and Bigmouth Buffalo are declining while little is known about their biology. Using thin-sectioned otoliths and bomb-radiocarbon dating, we find Bigmouth Buffalo can reach 112 years of age, more than quadrupling previous longevity estimates, making this the oldest known freshwater teleost (~12,000 species). We document numerous populations that are comprised largely (85�90%) of individuals over 80 years old, suggesting long-term recruitment failure since dam construction in the 1930s. Our findings indicate Bigmouth Buffalo require urgent attention, while other understudied fishes may be threatened by similar ecological neglect.

Here are some interesting snippets I found while reading:

Bigmouth Buffalo serve as a competitor to the invasive Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (H. molitrix), as well as the invasive Common Carp, thus these three invasive species pose threats in addition to overharvest. Hence there is a basis for considering Bigmouth Buffalo as an ecological asset, and reason for concern about declining populations of Bigmouth Buffalo that have been documented in the northern parts of their range, including Canada, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Unfortunately, other North American catostomids may also warrant such concern, with 42 out of 76 species already classified as endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or extinct.

However, legislative changes in the past decade coincide with a sharp increase in the popularity of bowfishing. Across the USA, bowfishing is now permitted at night; archers can shoot �rough fish� with a bow and arrow under powerful lights, despite little to no regulation or study of this new harvest method.

In all but one case (223 of 224), Bigmouth Buffalo from the Pelican River Basin were older than the previously reported maximum age of 26 years, with 186 of 224 individuals exceeding 75 years of age (1906�1942 year-classes). The remaining 39 Pelican River Basin fish ranged 18�49 years old (1969�2000 year-classes). The five oldest Bigmouth Buffalo all exceeded 100 years, with the oldest estimated at 112 years old.

>60% of the individuals bowfished from Tenmile Lake were between 13�15 years, none of the 193 bowfished individuals from the Pelican River Basin was younger than 18, and 81% (156) were over 75 years

The GSI (gonadosomatic index) threshold for which 50% of this population is estimated to reach sexual maturity was approximately the same for males and females (GSI >4%). This corresponds to an age of ~5�6 years for males, and 8�9 years for females. This GSI threshold, although likely appropriate for males, may well be too low for females. This calculation is influenced by the paucity of Bigmouth Buffalo females collected in the range of 6�12 years, and thus our age estimate for female reproductive maturity is likely underestimated for this population.

Many Bigmouth Buffalo have unique, long-lasting black or orange markings, and the presence and extent of this pigmentation intensifies with age. These color markings are most accentuated in the oldest individuals. Indeed, logistic regression indicated that the presence of black markings increased in likelihood with age. Similarly, orange spots also increased in likelihood with age. Black markings were never found on fish younger than 32 years, yet were present on all individuals older than 45 years. Orange spots were present on only two individuals younger than 32 years, and were absent on only four individuals older than 45 years of age.

Taken together, evidence from thin-sectioned otoliths and bomb 14C dating revealed that Bigmouth Buffalo can live to 112 years, older than all other reports of maximum age for freshwater teleost fishes by nearly 40 years. To date, the oldest age estimates were from otoliths of Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) obtained from archeological sites (maximum reported age of 73 years) and cold-adapted Arctic Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush; maximum age of 62 years). With ~12,000 species of freshwater teleost fishes, the longevity of Bigmouth Buffalo can be considered exceptional.

The Family Catostomidae contains at least six other species, representing five of 13 genera, reported to have long lifespans: Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus, 52 years), Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus, 44 years), Cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus, 44 years), Lost River Sucker (Deltistes luxatus, 43 years), June Sucker (Chasmistes liorus, 41 years), and Black Buffalo (Ictiobus niger, 56 years: a single specimen donated to our research team was 32 years older than the previously reported maximum age). Using otoliths, we show that Bigmouth Buffalo and other catostomids (e.g. Black Buffalo) have life histories that challenge current paradigms. To our knowledge, this is the first age-validation work done on the buffalofishes. Bigmouth Buffalo are now the oldest age-validated freshwater fish.

This revised life history view of Bigmouth Buffalo has implications for management. Dams on rivers are cited as the leading cause of recruitment failure for Bigmouth Buffalo because they restrict access to spawning habitats and can mute the environmental cues thought to initiate spawning behavior.

A further threat to Bigmouth Buffalo populations in Minnesota waterbodies is increased angling pressure since 2010, when regulatory changes permitted angling by night archery with artificial lights. In this form of angling, fish are shot with arrows, catch and release is neither legal nor possible, and there are no bag limits on several endemic taxa including Bigmouth Buffalo and Black Buffalo. Thus, a reevaluation of management decisions concerning Bigmouth Buffalo is required. This new life history evidence points to a precautionary approach to the conservation of buffalofishes in general, and potentially other catostomids, which currently have little or no harvest regulation. Protecting spawning habitat and older individuals from harvest may be necessary for sustaining populations of species like Bigmouth Buffalo whose life history includes asymptotic growth, delayed maturity, great longevity, and episodic recruitment.

In this study we identify Bigmouth Buffalo as the oldest freshwater teleost, and suggest that urgent conservation measures may be necessary for recovery of old populations with evidence of recruitment failure. Indeed, recent efforts to develop sustainable marine fisheries have emphasized the need to validate lifespans, given the threat of longevity overfishing. As was observed for Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), it is likely that reproductive and recruitment characteristics associated with a long lifespan may be crucial for population persistence across times of unfavorable environmental conditions common to freshwater habitats. The Bigmouth Buffalo is capable of living and reproducing to ages that more than quadruple all previous estimates. This finding serves as a prime example of discoveries overlooked and management dilemmas that can arise as a consequence of the ecological neglect of under-appreciated species.

Impressive. Puts a whole new perspective on catching a big buffalo.

For sure! Crazy to think they could be three or four times your age.

(or maybe just a bit older than you if you're an old fart... lol! )

Interesting to note concerning one of the parts I highlighted above: "Unfortunately, other North American catostomids may also warrant such concern, with 42 out of 76 species already classified as endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or extinct."

There are only 78 species in the family Catostomidae. 76 of them are exclusively found here in North America.

Not if I catch one.

Found a mount of one. This fish was aged at an impressive 88 years old!

This is an anti-bowfishing rant disguised as a conservation concern. Give it a rest.

This is a copy and paste from the research paper. My personal feelings on the matter are indeed as you say, but that doesn't change the reality of the research.

Very interesting

Agreed. This is a very worthwhile thread.

It�s about 111 years too long.

That is insane!! Looking pretty good for 88