(Lota lota), elongated fish of the cod family, Gadidae, and the only member of the family found in freshwater. The burbot lives in cold rivers and lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America. A bottom dweller, it descends as deep as 210 metres (700 feet). A mottled, greenish or brown fish, it may grow about 1.1 metres long. It has very small, embedded scales; a chin barbel; a long anal fin; and two dorsal fins. The burbot is valued as food in some areas.