Details
Amia calva
Bowfin is a fish associated with freshwater habitats. It is carnivorous and usually solitary. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Its range is represented here by the Nearctic, where it uses freshwater habitats. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.
Typical length 45-109 cm, weight 1 kg-9.5 kg. It has a finned fish body plan, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.
It is mostly active at night and usually solitary. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.
It is carnivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in freshwater habitats, so movements often follow available food resources.
Breeding usually involves spawning, with eggs and young developing in suitable freshwater, coastal, or reef habitats.
Recorded scientifically as Amia calva. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.
