Alligator Gars in SALTWATER

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wwcichlids

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 26, 2007
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Florida
I stopped by the Aquarium in New Orleans today. A quick 1 hour visit ( Really all that is needed)

I was looking around in there main big tank at the tarpon, Redfish, Sharks, Grouper, Jacks and to my amazement some HUGE GATOR GARS.

Has anyone else seen gators in full saltwater ?
 
I have heard that they tend to move out of the rivers and hunt in the open ocean once larger. I was actually just wondering this the other day now that I have one.
 
yeah, i have been to that aquarium and have seen the gator gar in the SWater tank...pretty cool (and the main reason i went to that aquarium).

gator, spotted, and longnose gars are all tolerant of saltwater to some extent. longnose and gator have been found in full saltwater before, and spotted gars briefly, but moreso in brackish conditions.

keep in mind that these gar species generally don't thrive in saltwater although they can survive for varying periods of time--
--solomon
 
Thats very interesting. I did not know that about them. It doesn't surprise me but I don't think them staying in salt for a long time can be particularly healthy for them. Though it is similar to a bull shark coming inland into the rivers.
 
the new england aquarium used to keep a large gator gar in the 200,000 gallon saltwater display
 
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