Burbot

The burbot (Lota lota) or bubbot is the only gadiform (cod-like) freshwater fish. Also known as mariah, freshwater ling, the lawyer, coney-fish, lingcod and (misleadingly) eelpout, the burbot is closely related to the marine common ling and the cusk. It is the only member of the genus Lota. For some time of the year the burbot lives under ice. They require frigid temperatures to breed.

Etymology

The name burbot comes from the Latin word barba, meaning beard, referring to its single chin whisker, or barbel. The genus and species name "lota" comes from the old Frenchlotte fish named also "barbot" in Old French. The Inuktitut–Iñupiaq word for burbot was also used to name the recently discovered extinct presumed transitional species Tiktaalik.

Description

With an appearance like a cross between a catfish and an eel, the burbot has a serpent-like body, but it is easily distinguished by a single barbel on the chin. The body is elongated and laterally compressed, with a flattened head and single tube-like projection for each nostril. The mouth is wide, with both upper and lower jaws consisting of many small teeth. Burbot have two soft dorsal fins; the first being low and short, the second being much longer. The anal fin is low and almost as long as the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is rounded, the pectoral fins are fan-shaped, and pelvic fins are narrow with an elongated second fin ray. Having such small fins relative to body size indicates a benthic lifestyle with low swimming endurance, unable to withstand strong currents. The circular or cycloid scales are very small, making it difficult to accurately age, and thus even more challenging to manage.