Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) fish species and information / pictures of Alligator gar - Atractosteus spatula

Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) fish species information

Scientific Name
Atractosteus spatula

Common Name
Alligator gar

Biology
Large size and broad, short snout. Light dorsal stripe. Dark olivaceous brown above and white to yellowish beneath. Dark brown blotches on all fins (Ref. 37032).

Classification

Classified By

Lacep?de, 1803

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Gars (Lepisosteiformes)

Family

Gars (Lepisosteidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: ranges from Mississippi River basin from southwestern Ohio and southern Illinois in USA south to Gulf of Mexico; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain from Enconfina River in Florida, USA to Veracruz, Mexico.

Range

44°N - 20°N, 101°W - 82°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - ? m (Ref. 55223)

Trophic Level

4.02 s.e. 0.67 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

305 cm

Common Length

200 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6406 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (85 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated