alligator gar

Scientific name Atractosteus spatula
Descriptor Lacepède
Year of description 1803
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Lepisosteidae
Genus Atractosteus
Atractosteus spatula Atractosteus spatula

Introduction

Atractosteus spatula, commonly known as alligator gar, is a fresh water fish from the North America.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    200 cm
  • Maximum size
    300 cm
  • Pattern
    tasks
  • Average size
    200 cm
  • Maximum size
    300 cm
  • Pattern
    tasks

How to recognize the alligator gar ?

The alligator gar measures between 200 and 300 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly blanc and beige body. The also has marron tasks.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The alligator gar hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The alligator gar is a fish solitary naturally found mid-depth and near surface. This species is carnivorous .

Although the alligator gar is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species. It also shows signs of aggression towards its conspecifics.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation

The alligator gar is a fish ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    15 - 22 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6.5 - 7.5
  • Flow
    Slow and Stagnant

Biotope presentation

The alligator gar is most often found at a depth between 0m and 5m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Where to see this species?

Scientific partners

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