Gars are among the most primitive fish species still alive today. spatula and Lepisosteus platostomus, commonly referred to as ‘crocodile gar’, is among the most common. There also exist several hybridised gars, of which a cross between A. Unfortunately, juveniles are seen for sale quite regularly in the aquarium trade, normally without adequate information provided regarding their long-term care. This is one of the largest freshwater fish species in the world, and clearly shouldn’t be considered a home aquarium subject at all given its eventual size and the fact it can live for well in excess of 50 years. ![]() The eggs of this species are toxic to crustaceans and vertebrates other than fishes, including humans. Growth rate is initially rapid and juveniles may measure 250 – 300 mm after the first year. Incubation is 48-72 hours and post-hatching the larvae remain attached to submerged surfaces for 5-10 days, until the yolk sac is completely absorbed. In nature it tends to move into temporarily-inundated wetlands or floodplains to spawn during spring months where it mayn congregate in considerable numbers.Ī female may spawn with multiple males simultaneously with the eggs ? deposited among submerged vegetation close to the surface or in deeper water. Unconfirmed, but females are thought to grow larger than males. Behaviour and Compatibility Top ↑īest kept alone, or with similarly-sized, non-aggressive fishes it cannot fit into its mouth. To find high quality fish foods, click here. This species should never be fed the meat of mammals such as beef heart or chicken since some of the lipids and other organic compounds contained in these meats cannot be properly metabolised by fishes, causing excess fat deposition and even organ degeneration over the long term.Įxcept for in the extreme circumstance described there’s also no real benefit in the use of feeder fishes due to the risk of disease or parasite introduction. It’s highly receommended to buy such feeders in advance and quarantine them for at least two weeks to ensure they’re free of disease while feeding them a high quality diet so that the flesh is sufficiently nutritious. In extreme cases there may be no other option but to use live “feeder” fishes for the initial period but it must be stressed that this is only advisable until an individual has built up adequate body mass to attempt a starvation period. Feed every day when juvenile but as the fish grows reduce the frequency an adult requires only one or two meals per week at most. It can sometimes be tricky to get newly-introduced captive? ? individuals to accept dead foods though most will learn to do so following a short period of starvation.Īfter a short time most small individuals will accept meaty frozen foods such as prawns, lance fish, etc., while larger specimens can be offered whole fishes such as trout or sprats. Gars are ambush predators feedimg on smaller fishes and aquatic crustaceans in nature. To search for high quality aquarium heaters, click here. Suitable only for very large public installations. Maximum recorded length is 3050 mm and maximum weight 166 kg, with the average adult specimen measuring 1800 – 2000 mm. Does not tend to inhabit swiftly-flowing environments. Habitatįound in various habitats from large lakes and rivers to sluggish tributaries, backwaters and pools, and can surive in both fresh and brackish waters, but shows a preference for large rivers with extensive associated floodplains. and Mexico, as far south as the state of Veracruz. ![]() No specific type locality was provided in the original description, and it has already disappeared from much of its northern range, with modern distribution comprising the lower Mississippi River basin plus Gulf Coast states of the southeastern U.S. ![]() Native to central and south-eastern states of the USA plus northern and central Mexico. Order: Lepisosteiformes Family: Lepisosteidae Distribution Atractosteus spatula (LACEPÈDE, 1803) Alligator Gar Classification
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