burbot

The burbot (Lota lota) is a freshwater fish native to the cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the only freshwater member of the gadiformes, and is sometimes called the freshwater cod or eel pout. Its range includes northern Europe, Siberia, Alaska, Canada, and parts of the northern United States, where it inhabits lakes and rivers with cold, well-oxygenated water.

Physically, the burbot has an elongated, eel-like body with a small head and a single chin barbel used for sensing prey on the bottom. It typically shows a brown to olive coloration with mottling and lacks the bright markings seen in some other cod relatives. Adults generally measure 30 to 60 cm, although they can reach nearly 1 meter in length and weigh several kilograms.

Burbot are primarily bottom-dwellers, often found in deep, rocky, or vegetated areas. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on fish and aquatic invertebrates. They spawn in winter or early spring in deep water, with eggs laid on substrate or vegetation and left adhesive to develop. Hatchlings pass through an aquatic, planktonic stage before settling to the bottom as juveniles.

Lifecycle and conservation considerations vary by region. Maturity typically occurs after several years (frequently 4–7), depending on the population. Burbot can live for many years, sometimes decades. The species experiences some commercial and recreational fishing pressure, but is generally listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though certain populations have declined due to habitat alteration, overfishing, and climate-related changes.