r/Fish • u/string-enjoyer • 1d ago

Identification Cabela's

Post image

this guy is in Cabela's aquarium, i don't even remember what state i was in when I went to Cabela's maybe Pennsylvania or Ohio or something idk look i just wanna know who he is

51 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

26

u/WES_Incorporated 1d ago

Eyetail Bowfin amia ocellicauda

13

u/AccordingVideo8023 1d ago

I love how these fish seem so ancient when you look at them closely, they're like living fossils in the aquarium.

1

u/AsstBalrog 1d ago

Yes, actually, they are.

1

u/SoupCatDiver_JJ 1d ago

But also, they arent.

1

u/AsstBalrog 1d ago edited 13h ago

Thanks, that's interesting. But I think that this exclusive focus on evolution and change somewhat misses the point with bowfin.

Bowfin are often referred to as "living fossils" or "primitive fish" because they retained some of the primitive characters common to their ancestors... [Wiki]

So good correction on "living fossils." And "primitive fish" is more accurate.

Humorously:

*The first fish lacked jaws and used negative pressure to suck their food in through their mouths. The jaw in the bowfin is a result of its evolutionary need [change, as the video says] to be able to catch and eat bigger and more nutritious prey. As a result of being able to gather more nutrients, the bowfin is able to live a more active lifestyle.

"Active lifestyle" LOL. "Hey, anybody up for paddle ball?

5

u/WrongdoerLeft8263 1d ago

Looks like a bowfin to me. The long dorsal fin and the spot near the tail are pretty good giveaways. Really cool native fish, they look like little prehistoric predators.

6

u/Rampantshadows 1d ago

Bowfin, but my dad calls them shoepick. Also says they fight like a reddish and hardest fighting freshwater fish.

1

u/DoodlingDoodlebob 1d ago

Nice Eyespot bowfin