Burbot
The only freshwater cod, a coldwater benthic predator with a chin barbel.
The burbot (Lota lota), also known as bubbot, mariah, loche, cusk, freshwater cod, freshwater ling, freshwater cusk, the lawyer, coney-fish, lingcod, or eelpout, is a species of coldwater ray-finned fish native to the subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the only member of the genus Lota and the only freshwater species of the order Gadiformes, closely related to marine fish such as the common ling and cusk, all belonging to the family Lotidae (rocklings). The burbot is notable for its circumpolar distribution above 40° N, its unique chin barbel, and its role as a benthic predator in cold freshwater and brackish habitats.
- Scientific name
- Lota lota
- Family
- Lotidae (rocklings)
- Distribution
- Circumpolar above 40° N
- Habitat
- Large, cold rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and brackish waters
- Maximum weight
- 1.0 to 12 kg (2.2 to 26.5 lb)
Lore & Background
The burbot has a serpent-like body, resembling a cross between a catfish and an eel, distinguished by a single barbel on the chin. It has two soft dorsal fins, a rounded caudal fin, and minute, nearly microscopic scales. Burbot are relatively long-lived and slow-growing; in Alaska, it generally takes 5–7 years to reach 18 inches, and individuals can live over 20 years. They are crepuscular hunters, constructing burrows in the substrate for daytime shelter, and are adfluvial during winter, migrating to near-shore reefs and shoals to spawn under ice at temperatures between 1 and 5 °C.
Reader's Guide
The burbot holds significance as the only freshwater member of the cod order Gadiformes, occupying a unique ecological niche in cold northern waters. Its circumpolar distribution and ability to thrive under ice make it a key species in subarctic and boreal aquatic ecosystems. The burbot's diet, which includes invasive species like the round goby in Lake Erie, demonstrates its role in controlling non-native populations. In Finland, its roe and liver are regarded as delicacies, and its meat, when cooked, tastes similar to American lobster, earning it the nickname 'poor man's lobster.' Genetic analysis suggests the geographic pattern of burbot may indicate multiple species or subspecies, making the single taxon somewhat misleading.
Did You Know?
- The name burbot comes from the Latin word barba, meaning beard, referring to its single chin whisker.
- Burbot are the only freshwater species of the order Gadiformes.
- When cooked, burbot meat tastes very similar to American lobster, leading to its nickname 'poor man's lobster.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a burbot?
The burbot (Lota lota) is a coldwater ray-finned fish and the sole freshwater member of the order Gadiformes, making it the closest living relative to marine cods and lings. It is the only species in the genus Lota and belongs to the family Lotidae, commonly called the rocklings.
What makes the burbot stand out from other fish?
Its most distinctive trait is a single fleshy barbel dangling from its chin, which it uses as a sensory organ in dim, murky water. It is also the only freshwater species in the entire gadiform order, a group otherwise made up of marine fish like cod and ling.
Where can you find burbots in the wild?
Burbots enjoy a circumpolar range above 40° north latitude, living in large cold rivers, deep lakes, reservoirs, and brackish waters across the Northern Hemisphere. As a benthic species, they spend most of their time hovering near the bottom rather than in open water.
What role does the burbot play in its ecosystem?
As a benthic predator, the burbot feeds on smaller fish, crustaceans, and bottom-dwelling invertebrates in cold subarctic waters. It occupies a top-predator niche in lake and river systems, helping to keep populations of its prey in check.
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