GARS

Gars (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) belong to the family Lepisosteidae and are among the most primitive of predatory fishes.  Together with their closest relatives the bowfins, they make the group Holostei.

Gars are easily identified from other fishes by their elongate snout (uniquely elongate in the ethmoid region of the skull) containing numerous conical sharp teeth and their interlocking, diamond-shaped ganoid scales (Polypterids also possess ganoid scales, but are different in composition).

Lepisosteids possess a modified gas bladder which serves as a lung for facultative air-breathing.  Gars breathe air when activity levels are high and/or dissolved oxygen levels are low.   

Although once found on several continents, extant members of this family are presently relegated to North & Central America and Cuba, represented by two genera and seven species (see list on left, images below).

Visit LEPISOSTEIDAE.NET for more detailed information on all species of GARS

 

See species below, more images coming soon!

Larval spotted gar; note suctorial disc and yolk sac.

Genus: Lepisosteus

 

Shortnose Gar (Lepisosteus platostomus)

Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)

Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus)

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Cuban Gar (Atractosteus tristoechus)

Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Genus: Atractosteus

 

Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus)

Genus: Lepisosteus

L. platostomus

L. oculatus

L. platyrhincus

L. osseus

 

Genus: Atractosteus

A. tropicus

A. tristoechus

A. spatula

 

Hybrid Gar Forms

(more images coming soon)

 

Atractosteus spatula x Lepisosteus platostomus

Atractosteus spatula x Lepisosteus oculatus (pictured below)

Atractosteus spatula x Lepisosteus osseus

 

Lepisosteus osseus x Lepisosteus platostomus