Morphology and diet of young-of-the-year Burbot, Lota lota, in the Ottawa River

Abstract

In August and September 1979, 41 young-of-the-year L. lota were collected in shallow water of the Ottawa River. This is the second record of young burbot in eastern Canada outside of the Great Lakes. Head length was significantly longer and the first dorsal fin length, preanal length, postpectoral length, and predorsal length were shorter for juvenile burbot compared to adults. The anal fin was white with a thin black edge and the pectoral fin rays were black. Young burbot attained a mean total length of 87.3 mm and weighed 5.6 g in August and were an average of 102.9 mm long and weighed 7.6 g in September. The length-weight relationship was log WT = 2.579 log TL - 4.299. Amphipods were the most important food item but 28.6% of the young burbot ate darters (Etheostoma spp) in September