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Origin:  Bowfins live all over the U.S.  They're not all that common in Iowa.  They're more populous in the southern states.  Bowfins are not a popular game fish in most areas, although they do have at least one large fan club in the U.S. -- the bowfinanglersgroup.com -- a large website with lots of fishing reports and pictures.  Their motto:  "America's toughest sportfish for 100,000,000 years."

LA
2-inch bowfin, Amia calva.  Also called dogfish as well as many regional appellations.

What's in a Name?:  "Bowfin" refers to the long, flowing dorsal fin that runs along most of his back.  "Dogfish" refers to their well developed set of canine choppers.  They can give you a pretty good bite if not handled carefully.  

LA
Same guy.

Housing:  You will need to provide plenty of room for him or her.  Bowfins grow to 12 inches their first year.  And most fish will not enjoy their company.  Their tank mates need to be of equal size or larger.

Bowfin Foods:  Bowfins eat insects, worms, fish, amphibians, and especially crayfish.  Anglers report them biting on nearly any fish or cut bait -- even bass plugs.  Bowfins tend to ruin most fishing tackle.   

LA
Ditto.

Snakehead Comparison:  Bowfins and the illegal snakeheads (not the people smugglers) both consume atmospheric oxygen.  They will live a very long time on dry land.  Both will bite you pretty good.  Both are voracious eaters.  They also have similar builds and grow to a similar size.  Snakeheads became illegal when they were found in many parts of the U.S.  A female snakehead can supposedly produce 150,000 eggs in two years.  Snakeheads are raised for food in Asia.  No one eats bowfins.

LA
However snakeheads are prettier.  More info at Snakehead.

LA
Bowfins like to lurk.

LA
Bowfins don't school together once they get a little size on them.

LA

LA
Bowfins get along together when young.

LA

LA

LA
Smaller bowfins look better than the adults.

LA
That's his reflection against the back glass.

LA

LA

LA
One of the primitive air-breathing Iowa fishes -- the bowfin (also dogfish) -- Amia calva.  2-feet long.

LA
These guys can survive in water that kills normal fish.  They are pretty AND obnoxious predators.

Warm Water Suits Them:  Bowfins breathe atmospheric air.  This means they can survive in warm, low oxygen container water -- long after the bass and other game fish have expired.

LA
At one time these were more popular in the aquarium trade.   We don't see them much these days.

LA
Formidable.

LA
But also attractive.

Last Words:  Definitely not a fish for your community tank.  However, bowfins make an intriguing fish in a specimen aquarium.  We occasionally see bowfins here at Aqualand.  Unfortunately, they are seldom available these days.  LA

© 2008, © 2010  LA Productions
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