Burbot
Lota lota
Also known asEelpout · Ling · Mariah
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 1500 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 0.80% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.50% of body weight
- Max density
- 30 g per litre
A 3000 g adult eats about 24.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~240 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Minnesota | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to cold freshwater rivers and lakes across the northern hemisphere: North America (Great Lakes, upper Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia basins, Alaska, and Canada), Europe, and northern Asia. The species (Lota lota) is the only freshwater member of the cod family (Gadidae). Burbot look unlike any other freshwater fish: elongated body, single barbel on the chin, mottled brown-yellow coloring, and a body shape reminiscent of a marine cod. They inhabit deep, cold water (preferring 10–16°C) and are most active in winter, spawning under ice in January-February. The flesh is white, firm, and has a clean, mild flavor that closely resembles marine cod (it's sometimes called 'freshwater cod' or 'poor man's lobster' for the tail meat). Burbot are an underexploited aquaculture species with growing interest from researchers and niche producers.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)
- USDA zones
- 1–5 (winter low around -51°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- yes, if summer water exceeds upper tolerance
Care notes
A specialty cold-water species for aquaponics operators with access to very cold water (8–14°C optimal). Burbot are unusual because they grow best in conditions colder than most salmonids prefer: optimal growth occurs at 12–15°C, and they feed actively under ice at 1–4°C when trout would be nearly dormant. This makes them uniquely suited to winter production in northern climates. Growth is moderate: 300–500 g in 18-24 months on high-protein feed (45-50% protein), though growth rates vary widely with temperature and strain. FCR is approximately 1.3-1.8 in experimental culture conditions. Stocking density data is limited because commercial culture is still in early stages, but 10-20 g/L appears workable. Burbot are nocturnal and prefer low light; provide cover and dim conditions. They're bottom-dwellers that need smooth substrate or a bare tank floor. Fingerling availability is very limited: a few university research programs (particularly the University of Idaho and Purdue University) have developed hatchery protocols, but commercial fingerling supply is sparse. This is the primary bottleneck for burbot aquaculture. Where available, they represent a premium niche product: the 'poor man's lobster' designation of the tail meat commands strong prices at specialty restaurants and farmers' markets.