Are bowfin fish poisonous?

No. The bowfin (Amia calva), also called mudfish or choupique, is not poisonous or venomous. It has no venom spines or toxic glands, and its only defense is a large mouth with small, sharp teeth, so handle a hooked one carefully to avoid a bite.

Bowfin are also safe to eat. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that the flesh is soft and jelly-like but can be smoked, fried as patties, or stewed. As with any freshwater fish, check local consumption advisories for the specific lake or river where it was caught.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Bowfin

Image: Amia calva, Milford, Virginia, by Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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