Overview
It can be distinguished from all other gars by the two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, its broader snout, and its size when fully grown. All other gars have one row of teeth in the upper jaw. In most other respects all gars are very similar in appearance, with a long body, a long, toothy snout, and a single dorsal fin that is far back on the body above the anal fin and just before the tail. The tail is rounded and the pectoral, ventral, and anal fins are fairly evenly spaced on the lower half of the body. The gars most closely resemble the fishes of the pike family (muskellunge, northern pike, and the pickerels, Esox spp.) in body shape and fin placement. In these fishes the tail is forked, not rounded.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Lepisosteidae
- Genus
- Atractosteus
- Species
- spatula
Habitat
The Alligator Gar is an inhabitant of large rivers, bays, and coastal marine waters from the western Florida panhandle (the Econfina River) west along the Gulf of Veracruz, Mexico, and north in the Mississippi River drainage as far as the lower reaches of the Ohio and Missouri rivers. It has been reported from Lake Nicaragua and the Sapoa River. They are a profound specie that adapts to the enviroment it find itself inhabiting.
Diet
Young fish feed on larval fishes and insects. Adults will eat whatever they can catch, consuming primarily fish, but occasionally taking birds, mammals and other animals.
Behavior
Alligator gar are slow to mature; they usually don't spawn until they are about 10 years old. Spawning typically takes place in shallow areas of flooded vegetation when springtime water temperatures exceed 68 degrees. In Texas, this generally occurs in April and May. Eggs hatch within a couple of days.
Fishing
Because of its huge size and great strength, the alligator gar is popular with anglers. Obviously, it is not a fish that is easily caught, as its sharp teeth will cut most lines in an instant. They are edible, but are not highly rated by most people.The Texas state record is 302 pounds, caught on a trotline in 1953. Bow fishers and rod and reel anglers have landed several specimens in excess of 200 pounds. Historically considered a rough fish, the alligator gar has recently gained popularity as a sport fish, attracting national and international attention after being featured on several television shows. Texas has one of the best remaining fisheries for this unusual freshwater fish. To help ensure that high quality, recreational fisheries remain compatible with long-term conservation of the species, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department imposed a one-per-day bag limit on alligator gar beginning in 2009.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.