[5][55][66] Over the years, global efforts have imposed strict regulations on the international trade of caviar, particularly on the harvest of sturgeons from the Caspian Sea where the highly prized caviar from the beluga sturgeon originates. These types of tails are common in fish with gas bladders, because the bladder supplies the fish with natural buoyancy. [8][32][68], In some areas of the United States where aquatic environments have tested positive for elevated levels of toxins, such as mercury, arsenic, chromium, and copper, there are posted signs with warnings about the consumption of fish caught in those areas. [64] Research has since proven otherwise, and that knowledge together with a better understanding of maintaining overall balance of ecosystems, regulations were introduced to help protect and maintain viable populations of bowfin. They are divided into three divisions: The bowfin genome contains an intact ParaHox gene cluster, similar to the bichir and to most other vertebrates.

The flesh is jelly-like, but can be prepared smoked, fried as patties or stewed. Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. The current tackle record is 21.5 lb (9.8 kg)[5][55][65], Bowfin were once considered to have little commercial value because of its poor-tasting meat which has been referred to as "soft, bland-tasting and of poor texture". Larval salamanders are also popular.

Burbots can be distinguished by their flat head and chin barbel, long anal fin, and pelvic fins situated beneath the pectoral fins. [58] When the fry are able to swim and forage on their own, they will form a school and leave the nest accompanied by the parent male bowfin who slowly circles them to prevent separation. [56] Introductions of bowfin to areas they were considered a non-indigenous species included various lakes, rivers and drainages in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Neopterygians are the second major occurrence in the evolution of ray-finned fish and today include the majority of modern bony fish.

[50][58][59] Oxygen-poor environments can be tolerated because of their ability to breathe air.

This, in turn, allows the bowfin to have more controlled and powerful movements, in comparison to fish that had only a notochord. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building

), or fish strips should work well.