1. Amia is a freshwater carnivorous fish, feeding upon other fishes and freshwater crustaceans and insects.
2. Amia calva is commonly known as bowfins.
3. Body is fusiform and somewhat compressed , measuring about cm in length . Body is divided into head , trunk and tail.
4. Scales are uniformly thin, cycloid and imbricate.
5. Head bears a subterminal mouth , a pair of nasal barbels and dorsal eyes.
6. Modernly large conical teeth are present on the premaxillae , palatines , and dentaries and smaller teeth on the vomers, pterygoids , splenials and parasphenoids.
7. Single dorsal fin is long , low and continuous , anal fin is short and caudal fin is nearly homocercal with a rounded hinder margin.
8. Air-bladder is often used for respiration, the fish coming to the surface and gulping the air. Pyloric caeca is absent.
9. Sexually dimorphic. The male is smaller than the female and is distinguished by the presence of a round black spot encircled by a margin of orange color at the base of the caudal fin. Two peculiar comb-like structures are present over the head.
10. Breeding season is May and June. Male builds a nest in water weeds in which the female lays her eggs. Male guards the young until they can move.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Vertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
