Burbot ?
#1 Guest_NYnativekeeper716_*
Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:12 PM
Odd in appearance, burbot look somewhat like a cross between a bullhead and an eel. They have an elongated body with a single prominent chin barbel much the same as bullheads, and long dorsal and anal fins similar to those of eels. Their bodies are covered with tiny, deeply embedded scales that give burbot a "slimy" feeling.
Burbot are found sporadically across the State. They usually live in lakes, but are also found in some streams where there is cool water and plenty of hiding places. They are unique among New York State fish in that they are the only freshwater species that spawn in midwinter with ten to 12 fish forming spawning fish balls.
Although burbot are frequently caught by anglers, most people do not eat them. In the past, Indians and Europeans ate these fish, but today, human consumption is mostly limited to Scandinavian people who relish the livers.
bur.gif 52.9KB 1 downloads lota1.jpg 151.52KB 1 downloads
#2 Guest_donkeyman876_*
Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:37 PM
#3 Guest_Newt_*
Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:41 PM
#4 Guest_NYnativekeeper716_*
Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:50 PM
They're an interesting fish. My understanding is that they require cool water, so you might need a chiller to keep one happy.
Yea im pretty sure you would need a chiller, I dont think id be able to get my hands on one anyhow. Just thought id see if anyone has ever kept one before. I think they look amazing.The breeding pair on the right kind of have a Jaguar cichlid type coloration/pattern, its stunning
Edited by NYnativekeeper716, 28 October 2009 - 07:51 PM.
#5 Guest_smilingfrog_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 02:23 AM
I haven't ever kept one, but each spring I go seining for darters with a group and we usually catch 1 or 2 juveniles. I also occasionally encounter them while scuba diving. I have eaten them as well (the meat not the liver). They are fairly common here in Minnesota and are frequently caught by icefishermen. Most people here refer to them as eelpout.Yea im pretty sure you would need a chiller, I dont think id be able to get my hands on one anyhow. Just thought id see if anyone has ever kept one before. I think they look amazing.The breeding pair on the right kind of have a Jaguar cichlid type coloration/pattern, its stunning
Check out http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/
#6 Guest_NYnativekeeper716_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 07:01 AM
I haven't ever kept one, but each spring I go seining for darters with a group and we usually catch 1 or 2 juveniles. I also occasionally encounter them while scuba diving. I have eaten them as well (the meat not the liver). They are fairly common here in Minnesota and are frequently caught by icefishermen. Most people here refer to them as eelpout.
Check out http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/
Ha thats great!
#7 Guest_njJohn_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 11:26 AM
#8 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 11:32 AM
#9 Guest_sumthinsfishy_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 06:22 PM
Good guess, it's basically a freshwater cod.
It is a freshwater cod. I caught a juvenile once. I didn't keep it...it wasn't really alive...
#10 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 07:08 PM
#11 Guest_panfisherteen_*
Posted 29 October 2009 - 10:06 PM
#12 Guest_FirstChAoS_*
Posted 30 October 2009 - 02:27 AM
Most people here refer to them as eelpout.
Around here they are called Cusk, which could be confusing as their is a different saltwater fish of the same name.
I heard some parts of the country call them lawyer, why anyone would want to insult a fish like that I don't know.
#13 Guest_panfisherteen_*
Posted 30 October 2009 - 09:26 PM
#14 Guest_Burbot_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 11:41 AM
However...
I have another one
I thought I posted pictures of him already but I checked my tank thread and I guess I forgot.
Anyways, I found him in august while dipnetting for mudminnows in a canal not far from where I live. He was about 3 inches long at the time. Since then he has grown to about 8 inches I would say (I haven't measured him). He ate absolutely everything in the tank except for a small crayfish. He made a few goes but has decided he hates the feeling I guess, because he just ignores him now.
He likes to hide in a driftwood log, but once I come into the room, or splash my fingers in his tank, he comes out and looks around. VERY cool fish to watch. One thing I learned: my other fish I have kept (bass, pike, exotics) would see a feeder, and nail it down. I'm sure you know what I am talking about, they kind of tilt and angle at it and then BAM, they hit it and eat it... This burbot is different, he would stalk the feeders. He would swim behind the rocks towards them, even go into a cave once they swam past it and wait for them to cross the opening. Very different than other fish I have kept. He also likes to catch a feeder and then bring it to his cave o eat it (though he makes exceptions now that he is so comfortable with me)
Because he likes to hide, I added some shiners to the tank to give it some action. He shredded one, because it was too big too eat. I might try some different tank mates in the future.
Food wise, I have been feeding him shrimp lately now (those ones that come in a ring, please comment on whether this is a good food for a fish, my research on another site seemed like it would be good, though it should not be the exclusive food) Anyways, nothing beats a feeder fish, though. He spits out all kinds of things, and it took a battle of wills to get him to eat shrimp. Chopped shiner was no problem whatsoever for him, but he wont even look at pellets, or anything floating. He's a bottom feeder and that's the way he likes it.
The tank is in my basement, and the water stays pretty cool (sorry I broke my thermometer). I have not noticed any odd behaviour or signs of being unhealthy, that would lead me think it is too warm for him. We catch them out of the red river now and again, so I don't know how vital it is for them to be in deep cold water. My thoughts? Look at this long skinny, toothless, smooth-skinned fish with no spines and a lazy disposition. Where would you go? Theses guys must be a sweet find for a pike or other predator, so they head deep, where they grow big and then eat everything.
they are also slower growing (or so I was told!) than other fish, but this guy is putting on the pounds! Burbots are expected to be sexually mature at about 3 years, and usually (surprisingly) about a foot long. Needless to say, that info might be off, although it might be a growth spurt as a juvenile, followed by slower growth over the years to reach the 4 foot long 15-20 year old behemoths. time will tell, and I am prepared for him to at least double in size, and I plan to make it work, because they are so different a fish from anything else freshwater.
Ok thats it for now, any questions? Sorry about the long boring essay, i just really like these fish and I haven't shared my experiences yet. I forgot to post pictures, and that's really too bad, because I have had him for a few months
#15 Guest_Burbot_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 11:56 AM
August '09 - Just a baby
DSC00204.jpg 131.88KB 20 downloads
IMG_3934.jpg 417.84KB 10 downloads
IMG_3938.jpg 471.81KB 10 downloads
September '09 - That awkward stage
DSC00240.jpg 149.57KB 8 downloads
DSC00243.jpg 146.97KB 7 downloads
October '09 - Bigger
DSC00253.jpg 137.95KB 7 downloads
DSC00254.jpg 145.69KB 6 downloads
DSC00255.jpg 129.99KB 8 downloads
same fish, same rock, 3 months
DSC00204.jpg 131.88KB 20 downloads
DSC00256.jpg 160.04KB 10 downloads
Edited by Burbot, 31 October 2009 - 12:31 PM.
#16 Guest_Burbot_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 12:03 PM
Edited by Burbot, 31 October 2009 - 12:32 PM.
#17 Guest_fundulus_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 12:16 PM
#18 Guest_Burbot_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 12:18 PM
Thanks
Edited by Burbot, 31 October 2009 - 12:32 PM.
#19 Guest_FirstChAoS_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 04:11 PM
But I recently learned from fish and game a small nearbye stream has a stunted population of them that never get over 6 inches. I kick netter their a few times andf got everything from dace to salmon, but i have yet to see a burbot.
maybe their hiding, Hmmm, Fishformers, Burbots in disguise!
Josh
-This halloween a new horror lurks in a brackish waterway near you. THE MUMMI!
#20 Guest_NYnativekeeper716_*
Posted 31 October 2009 - 09:51 PM
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users