Alligator Gar

About

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a genuine prehistoric giant, belonging to one of the oldest lineages of ray-finned fishes still swimming today. Native to the sluggish rivers, bayous, swamps, and lakes of the Mississippi River basin and Gulf Coast plain of North America, it is the largest of all the gars and can reach lengths well beyond five feet in the wild. The body is armored with interlocking, diamond-shaped ganoid scales, and the broad, flattened snout lined with two rows of sharp teeth is unmistakably crocodilian. Hence the name. In the wild it is an ambush predator, lying motionless near vegetation before lunging at fish, crabs, waterfowl, and even small mammals. Like other gars, it can breathe atmospheric air through a modified swim bladder connected to the throat, allowing it to survive in poorly oxygenated water. Despite a reputation for aggression in the wild, captive specimens are generally tolerant of similarly-sized tankmates they cannot swallow. That said, this species has absolutely no place in most home aquariums. Juveniles are sold regularly in the trade, often without disclosure that these fish can live well past 50 years and require truly massive, specialized facilities. This one is strictly for the most dedicated and well-resourced keepers.