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3 Bowfin Amia calva Linnaeus, 1766 RANGE: Red, San Jacinto, Sabine river basins and lower reaches of the Colorado and Brazos river basins. HABITAT: Rivers and creeks with backwaters; swamps, sloughs, ponds, and lakes. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Three stripes on sides of head; may be faded or absent on adults. (2) Large mouth; upper jaw extends beyond eye. (3) Gular plate on chin large and bony. (4) Tubular nostrils. (5) Long dorsal fin, more than half the length of the dorsal region. (6) Lateral line scales: 65–70. (7) Black spot with a thin border of yellow or orange on the upper portion of caudal fin base, which might be faded or absent on nonbreeding males and female adults. (8) Caudal fin abbreviated heterocercal . DIMENSIONS: Up to 3 ft (914 mm) and 20 lbs (9.1 kg). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 11–12; dorsal soft fin rays 42–53; pectoral soft fin rays 17–18; pelvic soft fin rays 7; caudal soft fin rays 25–28. COLORATION: Dorsal and lateral regions mottled olive; ventral region yellow to pale green; ventral fins turquoise-green with black margins; dorsal and caudal fin dark green with black stripes. Breeding males have lips, throat, belly, and ventral fins that are turquoise-green. COMMENTS: Similar to the gar, the bowfin’s air bladder is connected to the pharynx and can be used as a breathing organ. Bowfin—Family Amiidae Bowfin, Amia calva, 11 in (279 mm) ...

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