Bowfin
Amia calva (Linnaeus, 1766)
Range: Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada
Habitat: Lowland Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands
Diet: Fish, Aquatic Invertebrates, Amphibians
Social Grouping: Solitary
Reproduction: Spawn between April and June, usually at night. Male constructs nest in substrate at the bottom of the water, about 40-90 centimeters in diameter. Females approach nests and deposits her eggs while male fertilizes eggs externally. Male guards the 2000-5000 eggs for the 8-10 days of incubation, protects the larval hatchlings for the month or so after they hatch. Sexually mature at 2-3 years old
Lifespan: 30 Years
Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern
- Usually 50-70 (but up to 110) centimeters long, and can weigh up to 9.5 kilograms. Females larger than males. Body is elongated and cylindrical, with a single long dorsal fin running the length of the back and a single rounded caudal (tail) fin; its the dorsal fin which gives the fish its name
- Coloration olive green or brown in color, with some dark spotting. A large dark eye spot is present in males (and sometimes in females) directly in front of the caudal fin, which can serve to confuse or misdirect predators
- Considered a living fossil because of its retention of some prehistoric characteristics, such as a bony throat plate and rounded caudal fin; one of only two surviving species of a group of fish that dates back to the Triassic (250 MYA)
- Have the ability to breathe both through their gills and through their lungs, gulping air from the surface. Allows them to survive in low-oxygen conditions which would be fatal for other fish. Well adapted to warm, acidic waters
- Have been observed aestivating in chambers dug in the mud, sometimes prompted after being trapped in small pools during drought
- Commonly confused with the northern snakehead, which is now invasive in parts of its range
- Historically were considered a nuisance fish, one that predated more desirable game species, and there were efforts in some places to reduce their numbers. Now more popular as a game species themselves because of their strength, fight. Meat is typically not considered that desirable, but their eggs are a substitute for surgeon, sometimes sold as "Cajun caviar"
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