Detected 112-year-old freshwater fish in the US

Analyzing the age of hundreds of large mouth buffalo fish, Alec Lackmann's team found that this is the longest freshwater fish in the world.

Experts separate the thin slices of ear stones , small parts with calcium to help fish balance when swimming, from 386 large mouth-water buffalo fish living in the wild, National Geographic reported on August 2. Most of them were captured by enthusiasts shooting fish with bows and arrows.

Large mouth buffalo fish are native North American species, which can weigh 36kg as adults.(Photo: BioLib).

Scientists use a microscope to count the age of rings on each slice of ear stones. Initial results show that many children are 80-90 years old, making them extremely surprised. To confirm, Alec Lackmann and his colleagues conducted an age determination using radioactive carbon bombs. New results coincide with the results at the age of counting.

There are 5 children over 100 years old among the large mouth buffalo fish studied. A female weighs 10kg, catching near the city of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, USA, setting a record with 112 years old. This result helps big mouth buffalo fish become the longest freshwater fish in the world.Large mouth buffalo fish (Ictiobus cyprinellus) are native to North America, can weigh up to 36kg. The longest living person ever recorded was only 26 years old.

Form of ear stones of 112-year-old big mouth buffalo fish.(Photo: Science Alert).

Among the fish that the scientists analyzed, there were many that were born before 1939. This opened up the possibility that large-mouth buffalo fish were not favorable during the next few decades. Causes can be built by dams, preventing them from swimming upstream to lay eggs.

In fact, many people call big mouth buffalo fish "trash fish" because they are often not used to feed and are mistaken for invasive carp and exotic creatures in the US. However, the researchers say they play an important role with the native ecosystem.

Big mouth buffalo fish are becoming increasingly popular targets of fish hunters with bows and arrows. In most states where this animal lives, there are no rules limiting the number of hunting for commercial or sporting purposes. Large mouth buffalo fish are not classified as threatened animals in the US but are particularly interested by Canadian conservationists. Lackmann hopes the new discovery of this animal's amazing life will help people care more about them.