E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67 - 96; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 58 - 79; Vertebrae: 50 - 67. Distinguished by the long second dorsal fin, at least 6 times as long as the first, and a single barbel on the chin. Gill rakers short. First dorsal short; second dorsal and anal fins joined to caudal; pectorals short and rounded; caudal rounded , with 40 rays. Color is yellow, light tan to brown with a pattern of dark brown or black on the body, head and fins. Pelvic fins pale, others dark and mottled.

In North America, burbot survived glaciation in multiple refugia and different morphological forms of this species now occur in different regions. At least two subspecies have been recognized — one in Siberia, Alaska, parts of the Yukon, and in northern B.C., and the other on the Great Plains and eastern North America. Regardless of whether or not forms derived from different refugia warrant subspecific recognition, B.C. probably was colonized from both refugia. Consequently, genetically, our northern and southern burbot populations probably are different. Whether these differences translate into life history or habitat differences is unknown. The northern populations appear to be healthy but some of our southern populations are in trouble. For example, the once thriving burbot population in Kootenay Lake is almost gone and other Columbia system populations may also be in decline.

Circumarctic in freshwater.