Burbot

Quick facts

Adult size

60 cm, 3000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

730 to 1460 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 25 years

Diet

carnivore

Temperature class

cold-water

Difficulty

advanced

Water parameters

Temperature range

0–18°C (optimum 10°C)

pH

6.5 to 8.5

Hardness

3 to 25 dGH

Minimum tank

1500 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

45% target

Daily feed (warm water)

0.80% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.50% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

30 g per litre of system water

A 3000g adult eats about 24.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 240 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

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 classification

cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

1 to 5 (winter low around -51°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Not required (handles seasonal cool periods)

Cooling in a temperate climate

Required if your summer water temperatures exceed the upper tolerance

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

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.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else