Burbot

Burbot are large fish known to grow to as much as 1.5 m in length and 34 kg in mass (Morrow 1980). These fish are yellow, light tan, or brown with dark brown or black patterning on the body, head and most fins. The underbelly and pectoral fins are pale to white (Cohen et al. 1990; Morrow 1980). The first dorsal fin is short and is followed by a long second dorsal fin at least 6 times the length of the first and joined to a rounded caudal fin (Morrow 1980). Burbot have neither dorsal nor anal spines and have 67 to 96 soft dorsal rays, and 58 to 79 soft anal rays (Cohen et al. 1990). Gill rakers are short, pectoral fins are rounded, and caudal fins have 40 rays (Morrow 1980). Like other cods, burbot are also characterized by a single barbel located on the chin (Morrow 1980).