This is only the second time I've seen a gar at an LFS. They were called spotted gars, just wanted a confirmation. Can someone point me to a good thread so I can do a little research on it to see if it's doable?
Another Gar ID
- Thread starter pwmin
- Start date
Oh now that's priceless Gators (Atractosteus spatula) being sold as Spotteds....Typically it is always the other way around with Florida / spotteds being called Gators...Seems to be a hopping year for little gators being available...
Polypterus;1699023; said:
Seems to be a hopping year for little gators being available...
I thought they looked like the gators I posted for ID for a little while back
Darn, thought I possibly found a gar I could keep.
Since these are showing up in such large numbers here are a few quick ID points.
1. Note the White line on the Dorsal part of the snout. This is a typical Atractosteus trait and will only be found in Spatula, Tropicus and Tristoechus under the size of 5 inches. This if present is a dead give away to the fish being Atractosteus.
2. Very big fins.. Young gators have very large and developed Dorsal, Anal, Pelvic and caudal fins. The Pectoral however remain rather small and stubby.
3. Short broad snout roughly just a tad larger than the length of the head. Most Lepisosteus under 5 inches will show a much more narrow and longer snout.
These are just a few points that will quickly let you narrow species and also ID these gators.
1. Note the White line on the Dorsal part of the snout. This is a typical Atractosteus trait and will only be found in Spatula, Tropicus and Tristoechus under the size of 5 inches. This if present is a dead give away to the fish being Atractosteus.
2. Very big fins.. Young gators have very large and developed Dorsal, Anal, Pelvic and caudal fins. The Pectoral however remain rather small and stubby.
3. Short broad snout roughly just a tad larger than the length of the head. Most Lepisosteus under 5 inches will show a much more narrow and longer snout.
These are just a few points that will quickly let you narrow species and also ID these gators.
Tyler, there were at D&G in Fort Collins. It's probably a little too far for you. They usually get in a few oddballs here and there like that. Right now, they have a nice Fire Eel that's probably 16". they are having 25% off all "regularly priced" fish right now. They don't really have anything else unusual worth coming up for right now. They do have some congo tetras that I've been looking for. I didn't get any because if this was a smaller gar species, i was probably going to go back and get one.
Is there a good thread somewhere w/ other characteristics to look for or an ID chart or something?
Thanks!Polypterus;1699067; said:
Is there a good thread somewhere w/ other characteristics to look for or an ID chart or something?
There are little bits and pieces all over this site and further more organized threads elsewhere...Check the links in my Signature.
We are working on revisions to Primitivefishes that will include very specific Identification details but this may have to wait until after the field study season is up. Best bet is got a question post it or PM one of us fanatic gar nutz....