The burbot is the only freshwater member of the cod family, Gadidae.
Lota lota lives in cold rivers, lakes, and deep northern waters across Europe, Asia, and North America. It has an elongated body, a flattened head, and a single chin barbel that resembles the barbels of some catfish. Unlike most cod relatives, it spends its entire adult life in freshwater.
Burbot spawn during winter, often beneath ice, and may gather in groups over gravel or other suitable substrates. They are predators that eat fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic animals. Their cold-water requirements mean that warming waters and habitat changes can affect populations. Burbot may also be called freshwater cod or eelpout.