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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Bowfin

The bowfin (*Amia calva*) is a freshwater fish native to eastern North America and the only living member of the family Amiidae.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The bowfin (*Amia calva*) is a freshwater fish native to eastern North America and the only living member of the family Amiidae. It is known for its long dorsal fin, air-breathing ability, and tolerance of warm, low-oxygen waters. The species is also called dogfish, mudfish, and grinnel in some regions.

Description

Bowfin are stout, elongated fish with olive to greenish coloration, a long undulating dorsal fin, and small sharp teeth. Males usually have a dark spot with an orange halo near the tail base.

Habitat and range

The species lives in slow, vegetated freshwater habitats such as swamps, backwaters, lakes, and sluggish rivers. Its native range extends through much of eastern North America, including southern Ontario and Quebec.

Behaviour and diet

Bowfin are predatory fish that eat other fish and a range of aquatic animals. They are adapted to low-oxygen environments and can breathe air by gulping at the surface.

Evolution and taxonomy

Bowfin belong to the family Amiidae and are the only living representative of that ancient lineage. Their evolutionary history extends back to the Jurassic, which is why they are often called living fossils.

Key facts

  • The bowfin is the only living species in the family Amiidae.
  • It is a native freshwater fish of eastern North America.
  • Bowfin can gulp air and survive in warm, poorly oxygenated water.
  • It has a long dorsal fin, rounded tail fin, and a dark tail-base spot in males.
  • The species is often described as a “living fossil” because its lineage is ancient.
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Canadian context

Bowfin occur in Canada in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence drainage, including parts of southern Ontario and Quebec, making them relevant to Canadian freshwater biodiversity.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bowfin?
A bowfin is a freshwater fish species, *Amia calva*, native to eastern North America and the only living member of the family Amiidae.
Where do bowfin live?
They live in slow-moving, vegetated freshwater habitats such as swamps, backwaters, lakes, and sluggish rivers across eastern North America.
Do bowfin breathe air?
Yes. Bowfin have an air bladder that functions like a lung, allowing them to gulp air and survive in low-oxygen water.
What do bowfin eat?
Bowfin are predatory fish that mainly eat fish, but also consume crayfish, frogs, mollusks, and aquatic insects.
Why are bowfin called living fossils?
They are called living fossils because they are the last surviving species in an ancient fish family that dates back to the Jurassic.

References

  1. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources — https://wvdnr.gov/plants-animals/sportfish/bowfin/
    Supports: Scientific name, family, and broad North American range
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/bowfin
    Supports: Taxonomy, ancient lineage, habitat, and general description
  3. Illinois Department of Natural Resources — https://dnr.illinois.gov/education/wildaboutpages/wildaboutfishes/wafbowfin.html
    Supports: Only living species in Amiidae and anatomical traits
  4. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/freshwater/bowfin/
    Supports: Air-breathing ability, habitat, and reproductive notes
  5. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission — https://www.ncwildlife.gov/species/bowfin
    Supports: Scientific name, habitat, morphology, and air-breathing
  6. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/bowfin.html
    Supports: Air-breathing ability, appearance, and distribution notes