Alligator and Florida Hybrid

[M|L]

I normally don't post photos outside of the Photo Lounge, but I thought I would share my excitement with you gar fanatics.

This is my most recent pick up of a 4" baby.

I've had lots of gars before, and I have yet to come across this hybrid, which I've longed of having:

[dr_sudz]

how do you know for sure what hybrid it is?

[jsodwi]

Where did you get him I noticed your from NY anywhere near NJ?

[MrHarris]

looks like a longnose to me lol :)

[M|L]

I got it in Chinatown. ;)

I'm not 100% positive on the identification, since it's only a juvenile fish and I've never seen them for sale in the past.

However, I've seen plenty of photos. I'm not exactly new to gar keeping either.

Just about all gars sold in pet stores are born and raised in Florida. Hence, why they're usually sold simply as Florida gars. But as we all know, there is virtually little to no difference between the spotted and the florida gars which leads many to suspect that many are actually cross bred.

Now, continuing on to my fish. We all know that alligator gars have a very distinct look from that of the spotted/florida/shortnose/longnose gars. I have seen plenty of juvenile alligator gars in person, and this fish that I've just purchased bare the resemblance of both florida and alligator gars. They are also the only gar hybrid that's been circulating the pet trade for the last few years.

[M|L]

Basically, time will tell.

I will consult some gar experts on this also.

[Polypterus]

It does not appear to have the normal "look" of a Spatula X platyrhincus Nor a Spatula X platostomus. I'm also not aware of anyone actually producing these fish anymore unless someone has picked up where the single source of the fish left off or this a a rare natural hybrid.

IMO it looks like a shortnose but can't really be certian given the angle of the pic
It is hard to tell by the pic any id characteristics. Could you post some clear side pics as well as some from above?

[M|L]

I actually should've thought of that posibility too.

Maybe it's a shortnose gar.

[E_americanus]

i agree with polypterus on this one. he and i have discussed these hybrids in great depth, and have both kept the main hybrid which was moving through the trade a few years ago, which is the alligator x shortnose hybrid, commonly referred to as the crocodile gar. i also have a gar which is definitely an alligator x Florida (or spotted) hybrid, of which i have not seen another individual anywhere...which could mean it's a wild hybrid, but it's difficult to know for certain.

anyway, getting back to the fish in question; as polypterus said, the fish pictured does not match up with what i have seen of the juvenile stages of either crocodile gar type (i've kept both types when they were just a few inches long), and looks at this point to be a Lepisosteus genus gar. time will tell, but at this point i would say it's doubtful that it's a hybrid.

either way, it's a nice looking fish, so congrats on the pick up!--
--solomon

[rumblesushi]

Did the sellers not have an idea what it was ming?

[M|L]

The guy said they're Florida gars.

I'll get more pictures.

[E_americanus]

Did the sellers not have an idea what it was ming?


when it comes to gars, unfortunately most sellers don't have much of an idea what they are dealing with, at least in terms of species (sometimes they get the alligator gar designation right, many times they just call anything an alligator gar). when a fish is this small it's very difficult to get an accurate species ID, but i'd say looks like a Lepisosteus genus gar, and the Florida does indeed come under that genus. will be interesting to track it's development--
--solomon

[M|L]

IT'S CRAZY!

This guy DOUBLED in size since I got him!

Wow. Never experienced this much growth out of a gar. :)

[Polypterus]

IT'S CRAZY!

This guy DOUBLED in size since I got him!

Wow. Never experienced this much growth out of a gar. :)

They should grow very quickly and when they do it means they are happy healthy fish
:)

[Steve_89]

Looks nice ming :)

[DanDanUK]

I normally don't post photos outside of the Photo Lounge, but I thought I would share my excitement with you gar fanatics.

This is my most recent pick up of a 4" baby.

I've had lots of gars before, and I have yet to come across this hybrid, which I've longed of having:

Look's just like my spotted gar and the same size what fish is that in it's mouth ?

[M|L]

Look's just like my spotted gar and the same size what fish is that in it's mouth ?

Dan, trust me, it's different. One day you'll know as much as me. :) :grinyes: :p

That's a feeder fish.

[HappyFish]

Where did you buy it? I might want to add one or two to my home. Where did the shop you got it from think that it had come from, fish farm, wild cought? Post a clear shot from over head if you can. Any way you go its a cool fish. Best of luck with him.--HappyFish

[M|L]

the store gets their fish from a local wholesaler.

there's no way I can track down the source.

I don't have the fish anymore, so I can't take any more photos.

[DanDanUK]

Ming it looks very similar to my spotted Gar and is the same size can you tell me there groth rate because from what i'm experienceing they are slow growing ! i've had mine about 2 months now and it dosen't seem to have grown in inch at all just got a little darker under it's belly.

[M|L]

in a little over a week, it has doubled its size.

I've seen pictures of your gar Dan, it's a spotted/florida gar. mine's a shortnose. their head and jaw structure are different.

[khaski13]

:) :) :)

[rumblesushi]

I don't have the fish anymore

:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:

[dmarinko]

sweet