*(DNR) – It’s easy to confuse them.
Snakehead and bowfin body and fin shapes are very similar, but they have two distinct differences:
- The snakehead’s anal fin is long – about 2/3 the length of the dorsal fin, while the bowfin’s anal fin is short – less than 1/4 the length of the dorsal fin.
- The snakehead’s pelvic fins are found almost underneath the pectoral fins, while the bowfin’s pelvic fins are set back from the pectoral fins. The burbot, like the snakehead, has a long anal fin and pelvic fins actually in front of the pectoral fins, however, the burbot has very fine scales and a conspicuous barbel under the chin.
Here are some additional characteristics that may help you identify them:
|
|
Bowfin (or dogfish) are a native species that has a large mouth with many sharp teeth. Its large head has no scales. The dorsal fin is long, extending more than half the length of the back and the tail is rounded. There is a barbel-like flap associated with each nostril. The back is mottled olive green shading to lighter green on the belly. The dorsal is dark green, while all others are light green. Young fish have a distinctive black spot near the base of the upper portions of the tail fin. The spot is usually margined with yellow or orange. Although it persists in adult fish, it is less prominent in females.
|
|
Burbot (or lawyer, eelpout, freshwater cod) is an elongate, cylindrical fish with two dorsal fins, a long anal fin and pelvic fins in front of the pectoral fins. Adults are uniformly yellow or light brown to black or mottled with dark brown or black on the back and sides. Young fish are conspicuously speckled with dark vermiculations. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are mottled.
The burbot frequents cool waters of large rivers, and the lower reaches of their tributaries and lakes – particularly in northern Wisconsin.
|
|
Snakehead are an exotic species common in the pet trade industry. They are an aggressive predator that feeds on fish, frogs, aquatic birds and, in some cases, small mammals. It grows up to 40 inches and can weigh over 15 pounds. The fish is able to survive in waters with very low dissolved oxygen and if faced with deteriorating environmental conditions, can actually move over land and has been known to survive out of water for periods of 3-4 days.
Since snakehead are not native, please report snakehead catches to your local biologist.
