Life in Newburgh on Ythan

By Talpa

Is it a catfish? - no, it's a Bowfin

Bowfins are primitive ray-finned fish. Only one species, Amia calva, survives today, but in the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Eocene there were many other species. The ancient bowfin is one of the few living species of freshwater fish that swam among the dinosaurs.

Bowfins are found throughout eastern North America, typically in slow-moving rivers and ox-bow lakes. When the oxygen level is low the Bowfin can rise to the surface and gulp air into its swim bladder, which is lined with blood vessels and can serve as an air-breathing lung.

As you can see from its teeth, the Bowfin is an accomplished biter and an efficient predator of large invertebrates, amphibians and other fish.

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