The burbot derives its name from the Latin word "barba," meaning beard, which alludes to its distinctive single chin whisker or barbel. Its scientific name, Lota lota, originates from the old French term "lotte fish," also known as "barbot" in Old French.
The burbot boasts a unique appearance, resembling a cross between a catfish and an eel. Its serpentine body is easily recognizable by the presence of a single barbel on the chin. The elongated and laterally compressed body features a flattened head with tube-like projections for each nostril. With a wide mouth containing numerous small teeth in both upper and lower jaws, the burbot possesses two soft dorsal fins, with the first being low and short, and the second significantly longer. The anal fin is low and nearly as long as the dorsal fin. The rounded caudal fin, fan-shaped pectoral fins, and narrow pelvic fins with an elongated second fin ray complete its distinctive physical attributes. The relatively small fins in relation to body size suggest a benthic lifestyle with limited swimming endurance, making it unable to withstand strong currents.
Burbot are found throughout the circumpolar regions above 40°N. They exhibit a continuous distribution from France across Europe and Asia to the Bering Strait. In North America, burbot can be found from the Seward Peninsula in Alaska to New Brunswick along the Atlantic Coast. While they are most common in the lakes and streams of North America and Europe, they also inhabit Lake Erie and other Great Lakes. Recent genetic analysis indicates that the geographic pattern of burbot may indicate multiple species or subspecies, challenging the notion of a single taxon.
Regrettably, the burbot is believed to be possibly extinct in the United Kingdom. The last recorded capture occurred in July 1970, weighing 0.48 kg (1.1 lb), and was caught in either the Cut-off Channel or the Great Ouse Relief Channel in Denver, Norfolk. The burbot's rarity and impending extinction were highlighted when it was described as the "rarest British fish" in the Guinness Book of Records in October 1970. However, there is still hope for its survival in the UK, with Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Yorkshire being potential areas where this species might yet persist. Plans for reintroducing this freshwater member of the cod family into British waters are currently under investigation, aiming to revive its presence for future generations.
Habitat:
Burbot primarily inhabit large, cold rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, showing a preference for freshwater environments but also displaying adaptability to brackish waters during spawning. During the summer months, they tend to reside in the colder water beneath the thermocline. In Lake Superior, burbot have been found at depths exceeding 300 m (980 ft). These benthic fish can tolerate various substrate types, including mud, sand, rubble, boulders, silt, and gravel, as they forage for food. During the day, adults construct extensive burrows within the substrate to seek shelter. Burbot exhibit crepuscular hunting behavior, actively foraging during dawn and dusk.
Life History:
Burbot attain sexual maturity between four and seven years of age. Spawning season typically occurs from December to March, often taking place under ice at extremely low temperatures ranging between 1 and 4 °C. Over a period of two to three weeks, burbot spawn multiple times, but not necessarily every year.
As broadcast spawners, burbot do not have specific nesting sites. Instead, they release eggs and sperm into the water column, allowing them to drift and settle. During spawning, several male burbot gather around one or two females, forming a spawning ball. The males and females simultaneously release sperm and eggs while writhing in open water. The incubation period for the eggs ranges from 30 to 128 days, depending on water temperatures. Once fertilized, the eggs drift until they settle into cracks and voids within the substrate.
The fecundity of female burbot varies based on body size, ranging from 63,000 to 3,478,000 eggs per clutch. The growth rate, longevity, and age of sexual maturity in burbot are strongly influenced by water temperature, with larger, older individuals producing more eggs than their smaller, younger counterparts. The round eggs contain a large oil globule measuring approximately 1 mm (0.039 in) in diameter and require an optimal incubation range between 1 and 7 °C (34 and 45 °F).
After hatching, burbot larvae assume a pelagic lifestyle, drifting passively in open water. They thrive in habitats with temperatures near 4 °C (39 °F) and exhibit a preference for water temperatures of 12 °C (54 °F) and lower. Juvenile burbot are active at night, seeking shelter during the day under rocks and other debris. Experiencing rapid growth during their first year, they typically reach lengths of 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) by late fall. In their second year, burbot grow an additional average of 10 cm (3.9 in). As they reach adulthood at around five years old, burbot transition from pelagic to benthic environments. On average, sexually mature burbot measure about 40 cm (16 in) in length, with slight sexual dimorphism. Maximum lengths can range from 30 to 120 cm (12 to 47 in), and weights span from 1.0 to 12 kg (2.2 to 26.5 lb).
Burbot exhibit varying dietary preferences at different life stages. During the larval stage, which begins around one month after hatching, they begin exogenous feeding, consuming food through their mouth and digesting it in their intestines. Larval and juvenile burbot feed on invertebrates, with their prey selection based on size. They consume copepods and cladocerans when under 1 cm (0.39 in) in size, while larger individuals above 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) prefer zooplankton and amphipods. As adults, burbot are primarily piscivorous, feeding on lamprey, whitefish, grayling, young northern pike, suckers, stickleback, trout, and perch. They also display occasional consumption of insects and other macroinvertebrates, and in rare cases, have been observed preying on frogs, snakes, and birds. The burbot's wide diet range and its tendency to bite lures make it a popular target for anglers. Predators of the burbot include northern pike, muskellunge, and certain lamprey species.
With this comprehensive article, we have provided a detailed overview of the burbot (Lota lota), the only freshwater fish belonging to the gadiform family. We explored various aspects of the burbot, including its etymology, description, geographic distribution, habitat, life history, and diet. By offering rich and detailed information about the burbot, we aim to enhance your understanding of this unique species and help you outrank other websites with our valuable content.