Bowfin

Armed with powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth, bowfin are aggressive ambush predators. Their diet is diverse, consisting of crayfish, mollusks, frogs, and smaller fish.

Unlike many fish that abandon their eggs, male bowfin are dedicated fathers. They build nests in aquatic vegetation and vigorously guard their young until they reach several inches in length. Modern Perspectives bowfin

They are characterized by a long, undulating dorsal fin—from which they take their name—and a rounded tail. Males are often distinguished by a prominent black "eye spot" (ocellus) at the base of the tail, rimmed with orange or yellow, which likely serves to confuse predators. Armed with powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth, bowfin