Burbot

📖 Overview

The only member of Lotidae family which lives in freshwater. Crepuscular and nocturnal . Adults are found in well oxygenated flowing waters and large, deep lakes as well as large rivers with slow-moving current . They occur from estuaries of large lowland rivers as well as from small mountain streams, preferring deep waters in summer . They seek shelter under rocks, in crevices on the river banks, among roots of trees and dense vegetation . Those in rivers tend to congregate in deep holes throughout the year, except at spawning . Movements into shallower water during summer nights are related to feeding . Smaller individuals feed on insect larvae, crayfish, mollusks and other invertebrates with a changing preference for fishes in larger individuals . In Central Europe, males mature at 2 years while females at 3 years . Spawning occurs from November to March, at temperatures below 6°C in groups of up to 20 interlaced individuals forming a ball about 60 cm in diameter which constantly move and roll on the bottom while releasing eggs and sperms . May undertake short spawning migrations . Eggs are semipelagic, 1.2-1.8 mm in diameter and slightly sticky hatching after 40-70 days . Larvae are positively phototactic, floating below the surface in March and April . Larvae feed on drifting invertebrates or zooplankton . Source of oil. Sold mainly salted. Liver is sold smoked or canned in Europe . Processed into fishmeal . Because of its nocturnal habits and its slow movements, this fish is not very much appreciated by sport fishermen. Flesh is tasty but a little dry . Locally threatened due to river regulation .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67 - 96; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 58 - 84; Vertebrae: 50 - 67. Diagnosed from all other freshwater fishes in Europe by its pelvic fin origin anterior to pectoral fin origin and by having one central barbel on lower jaw . Distinguished by the long second dorsal fin, at least 6 times as long as the first, and a single barbel on the chin . Gill rakers short . First dorsal short; second dorsal and anal fins joined to caudal; pectorals short and rounded; caudal rounded , with 40 rays . Color is yellow, light tan to brown with a pattern of dark brown or black on the body, head and fins . Pelvic fins pale, others dark and mottled .: elongated; Cross section: circular.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Burbot is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

There appears to be individual movements into spawning areas with the males arriving first at spawning areas . It occurs at night, with spawners forming a great globular mass, each pushing toward the center , or at least milling around close together , releasing eggs or sperm. Observed to make postspawning runs upriver, apparently for feeding . Eggs hatch after 40-70 days. After about 2 months, juveniles are benthic, grow rapidly, reach about 8 cm SL within first year. .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 7.5 - ? ; dH range: 18 - ?; potamodromous ; depth range 1 - 700 m . Temperate; 4°C - 18°C ; 78°N - 40°N, 180°W - 180°E North America belong to a different species, Lota maculosa (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🎣 Angling Guide

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Burbot is an edible species."

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient	Amount
Protein	17.5 g
Omega-3 (total)	382 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Burbot has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

📊 Population Dynamics

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name	Author	Year	Status
Enchelyopus lota	Linnaeus	1758	Synonym
Gadus compressus	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Gadus lacustris	Walbaum	1792	Synonym
Gadus lota	Linnaeus	1758	Homotypic
Gadus maculosa	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Lota brosmiana	Storer	1842	Synonym
Lota brosmina	Storer	1842	Synonym
Lota communis	Rapp	1854	Synonym
Lota compressa	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Lota fluviatilis	Perty	1832	Synonym
Lota inornata	DeKay	1842	Synonym
Lota linnei	Malm	1877	Synonym
Lota lota asiatica	Kirillov	1972	Synonym
Lota lota kamensis	Markun	1936	Synonym
Lota lota lacustris	Walbaum	1792	Synonym
Lota lota leptura	Hubbs & Schultz	1941	Synonym
Lota lota lota	-	-	Synonym
Lota lota maculosa	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Lota lota onegensis	Mel'yantsev	1948	Synonym
Lota maculosa	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Lota marmorata	Koch	1840	Synonym
Lota vulgaris	Fitzinger	1832	Synonym
Lota vulgaris obensis	Anikin	1902	Synonym
Molva lota	Linnaeus	1758	Synonym
Molva maculosa	Lesueur	1817	Synonym
Mostella fluviatilis	Dralet	1821	Synonym

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 69 records indexed .

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