Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) fish species and information / pictures of Spotted gar - Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Lepisosteus oculatus

Common Name
Spotted gar

Biology
Adults occur in quiet, clear pools and backwaters of lowland creeks, small to large rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps and sloughs. Occasionally enter brackish waters. A voracious predator feeding on various kinds of fishes and crustaceans.

Classification

Classified By

Winchell, 1864

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Gars (Lepisosteiformes)

Family

Gars (Lepisosteidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Lake Erie and south Lake Michigan drainages south through Mississippi River basin to Gulf Slope drainages from lower Apalachicola River in Florida to Nueces River in Texas, USA.

Range

43°N - 28°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

12 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal

Trophic Level

4 s.e. 0.66 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

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5781 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

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (68 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=4; Fec=1,772)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated