Bowfin

Description:

The bowfin is a long, 15-24 inch long cylindrical fish with a prominent backbone that flexes upward into a rounded tail. It is the only freshwater fish in Alabama with a bony gular plate between its lower jaws on the underside of the head. The dorsal fin has 46 to 50 soft rays; it extends more than half the length of its back and is longer than that of any other fish species in Alabama except the American eel. The body is covered with cycloid scales, with 64 to 70 along the lateral line; the head is scaleless. Body color is mottled olive green to light brown on the back, grading to light green to cream on the venter. A prominent black spot-which is surrounded by a yellow or orange ring and located near the base of the caudal fin on young bowfins and adult males-is an excellent example of deceptive coloration. Resembling another eye, this physical feature sometimes confuses potential predators, causing them to strike at the tail rather than the head and thus allowing the bowfin to escape. The adult bowfin’s large mouth possesses many sharp, canine teeth. Anglers have learned to be careful while handling these fish, which are slippery, strong and capable of delivering a powerful bite. As bowfins mature and grow, they begin taking proportionally larger animals. Fish make up the bulk of the diet in most areas: Aquatic amphibians and reptiles are sometimes targeted. A review of predatory fish in Florida's Kissimmee River revealed that bowfish occasionally hunt striped crayfish snakes, greater sirens (a kind of amphibian) and eastern newts. Bowfin spawn in the spring. Males build nests in aquatic vegetation often near a large log and guard the eggs. Once hatched the male guards the young for about a month, which is longer than any other species of fish in North America. The young swim in a tightly packed swarm for the period they are guarded by the male. The male will aggressively defend the young attacking anything he sees as a threat.

Habitat:

Bowfin prefer quiet, clear, backwater areas, lingering along the margins of aquatic vegetation, in undercut banks, and around branches and other submerged structures.