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Ancient Fish: Minnesota Buffalo Lives 112 Years!
27 Aug
Summary
- A bigmouth buffalo lived to 112, the oldest verified freshwater bony fish.
- Scientists used bomb radiocarbon dating to confirm the fish's ancient age.
- Many Minnesota buffalo fish populations are over 80 years old.
A bigmouth buffalo pulled from a Minnesota lake has been verified as the oldest freshwater bony fish ever recorded, living to an astonishing 112 years. This discovery radically alters previous assumptions about the species' longevity, with earlier studies suggesting a maximum lifespan of only 26 years. Scientists confirmed the fish's age using bomb radiocarbon dating, a technique typically reserved for aging human remains and sharks.
The extensive study involved aging 386 bigmouth buffalo from Minnesota lakes. Shockingly, 85-90% of fish sampled from several lakes were found to be over 80 years old. Researchers attribute this to a long-term failure in replenishing these populations since the 1930s, meaning many fish have survived for generations without new fish being added.
Bigmouth buffalo, often dismissed as "rough fish" by anglers, are now recognized for their remarkable lifespan. This longevity, coupled with reproduction only in favorable years, suggests a greater need for conservation and management efforts. The findings highlight that many overlooked freshwater species may have significantly underestimated lifespans.
