On the tranquil shores of Minnesota’s Rice Lake, a natural wonder is breathing. If one takes a look, you’ll find a school of bigmouth buffalo fish gathering to spawn. These massive fish, weighing up to 50 pounds, are not only majestic but also among the world’s longest-lived freshwater species, with some reaching an astonishing age of 127 years. Yet, beneath their remarkable longevity lies an unsettling truth: for over six decades, their young have failed to reach adulthood.
Native to North America, bigmouth buffalo fish can be found from Canada to the southern United States. Despite their ecological importance, they’ve long been dismissed as “rough fish,” a term implying they lack commercial or recreational value. This perception has left them largely overlooked by scientists—until recently.
According to a BBC special report, in 2019, a fish researcher at the University of Minnesota, Alec Lackmann shocked the scientific community with a discovery: bigmouth buffalo in Rice Lake were far older than previously believed. One specimen he analyzed was nearly 90 years old, sparking further research that identified centenarian fish across North America.
Defying Age and Biology
What sets bigmouth buffalo apart isn’t just their age but their apparent resistance to biological decline. A study co-authored by Britt Heidinger in 2021 found that these fish show no signs of aging-related stress, such as telomere shortening.
In fact, older fish displayed stronger immunity and stress management than their younger counterparts.
“Ageing is a nonlinear process,” says Heidinger, emphasizing that while the fish’s longevity is extraordinary, much remains unknown about how they maintain their health.
Despite their annual spawning in Rice Lake, evidence of young buffalo fish vanishes by late summer. Research led by Lackmann revealed that 99.7% of sampled fish were over 50 years old, with the median age being 79—meaning most were born before World War II. Predation by young pike, which spawn earlier, may be the primary reason for this survival crisis.
The buffalo’s extended lifespan might be an evolutionary response to their low reproductive success, but the current lack of younger fish signals a looming population collapse. “Every young fish that has survived after 1957 is a statistical outlier,” Lackmann notes.
An Overlooked Crisis
Compounding the issue is the lack of protection for bigmouth buffalo. While listed as endangered in Pennsylvania and a species of concern in Canada, most U.S. states have no regulations to prevent overfishing. In Minnesota, bowfishers frequently kill them in large numbers, mistaking them for invasive carp species.
This misconception is particularly harmful. Unlike invasive species, bigmouth buffalo play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance, potentially helping to combat invasive fish.
The Urgency to Act
The threats facing bigmouth buffalo extend beyond predation and human activity. Habitat disruptions, such as dam construction, could further hinder their survival. Yet, significant gaps in knowledge remain, from their migration patterns to their tolerance for changing temperatures.
“Without funding and awareness, it’s a vicious cycle,” says Lackmann.
The species’ obscurity limits research, which in turn prevents the implementation of conservation measures.
As the current population edges closer to extinction, researchers like Lackmann and Heidinger are sounding the alarm. Protections are urgently needed to preserve this ancient species, whose story underscores the fragility of ecosystems and the critical importance of overlooked biodiversity.
If swift action isn’t taken, the bigmouth buffalo could go from being a marvel of nature to a cautionary tale of neglect.
The clock is ticking for the fish that doesn’t age—but its time might be running out.
