RE: NANFA-- bowfin babies/ sheep's head

Hoover, Jan J ERDC-EL-MS (HOOVERJ_at_wes.army.mil)
Tue, 15 May 2001 11:13:18 -0500

Masses of baby bowfin can number well over a thousand. I borrowed a series
collected 24 Apr 1970 from Bayou Desiard in Louisiana. It contains 5184
specimens, all approximately 50 mm TL, and fills a 5-gal museum jar. I was
told that it resulted from just two seine hauls.


>>>a large dark mass near the shore. When I
got closer I saw that it was a large group of fry that where swimming in
a protective mass. There might have been a thousand of them or at least
hundreds. I then notice that there was a large fish that was with
them. Mother? Father? This fish was over 2 feet long and had a blunt
head with short whiskers which she pointed ahead of her. There was a
large false eye on her tail and the pectoral fins where a wonderful neon
powder bluish color. I don't notice much if any dorsal fin. The young
swam around and under her for protection.

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