Bowfin (Amia calva)

Scientific name: Amia calva Linnaeus, 1766

The Bowfin (Amia calva) is a freshwater fish of the family Amiidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 15–20°C (59–68°F). Native range: North America, St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain drainage of Quebec and Vermont west across southern Ontario to the Mississippi drainage in Minnesota.

Bowfin care at a glance

Temperature: 15–20°C (59–68°F)

Biology

Found in swampy, vegetated lakes and rivers. Air-breather that can withstand high temperatures, which enables it to survive in stagnant areas; even known to aestivate; lethal temperature is 35.2?C. A voracious and opportunist feeder, it subsists on fishes including other sport fishes, frogs, crayfish, insects, and shrimps. It uses scent as much as sight and captures food by means of gulping water. Males are always smaller than females which live longer. Apparently somewhat migratory during spawning season. Eggs are adhesive, attached to decaying vegetation and upright weeds. Larvae are found in nest, remaining attached to roots or lying on bottom until adhesive organ is absorbed, thereafter in tight "swarm" guarded by male parent outside nest. A 'living fossil' and lone survivor species

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Amia calva
Family: Amiidae (Bowfins)
Order: Amiiformes (Bowfins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 109
Common length: 53.4
Environment: Freshwater; demersal
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: North America: St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain drainage of Quebec and Vermont west across southern Ontario to the Mississippi drainage in Minnesota.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.14; tm=3-5; tmax=12; Fec=23,600)