One of our standard lake health practices is to conduct an electrofishing survey, a process that lets us measure and track the fish population and species mix in our client’s lakes. Recently, on an electrofishing survey project, we collected a Bowfin (Amia calva), which is a relative of the Gar family. This fish is native to Georgia, however, the lake where the fish was captured was outside of its specific geography and preferred habitat.
Although the Bowfin are distantly related to the gar, Bowfin are unique–the only surviving species of the order Amiiformes that dates to the Jurassic period, more than 70 million years ago. As a result, they are often called an ancient relic, or a “living fossil,” and are the focus of much scientific study. Also, the Bowfin is the only species in its genus. They have a bone called a gular bone, it’s a flat plate on the floor of the mouth; no other freshwater species has a gular bone but some saltwater species of fish do. Common nicknames: dogfish, grinnell, mudfish, choupique (southern Louisiana), and cypress trout.
One of the benefits of developing a cadence to an electrofishing survey is the ability to log and track population mix and changes over a period of years. This information allows for greater analysis on the overall health needs of the lake and its inhabitants.
If you would like to learn more, please call us at 678-445-0077 or visit our website at www.aquascape.net./services/fisheries-services.
