BLACK GARS?

[r3d]

that's a relatively frequently encountered juvenile gar pattern...they look like this especially when small. it will look like a normal Florida gar as it grows--
--solomon

I had a friend tell me it was a hybrid.. its a lot more aggressive than any florida i have ever heard of

 

[E_americanus]

I had a friend tell me it was a hybrid.. its a lot more aggressive than any florida i have ever heard of

it's very very unlikely a hybrid; small gars are all aggressive eaters at that size/stage. i'm 99.9% sure it's a Florida gar--
--solomon

 

[r3d]

it's very very unlikely a hybrid; small gars are all aggressive eaters at that size/stage. i'm 99.9% sure it's a Florida gar--
--solomon

ahh well i really hope not, only reason i got it was because i didnt think it was a florida

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

happens around spawning time quite frequently in several species (potentially all of them). melanistic gars also occur, and this has been noted in several gar species. some maintain their black coloration, some lose the black pigmentation and return to "normal" gars.--
--solomon

PS-- there are several photos online of melanistic gars.

So do some remain jet black or do they all eventually return to normal?

How long do they keep their black coloration during the spawning season?

 

[E_americanus]

So do some remain jet black or do they all eventually return to normal?

How long do they keep their black coloration during the spawning season?

black due to spawning would only last for the spawning season and fade shortly thereafter. if it is a true melanistic gar, then they would likely retain the coloration for life (if the fish is already large).

at small sizes fishes are likely to change (or at least have a greater potential). i had a small Florida that was born yellow but turned normal within weeks of growing past 8-10". it's hard to say for sure about an individual fish, we can only speculate. with pics we may be able to make some better guesses--
--solomon

 

[thefishguy7]

Waiting for pics...I want it!

 

[demjor19]

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Snook - Any idea what size they will be? Any idea how long they would have retained their coloration?

i had a small Florida that was born yellow but turned normal within weeks of growing past 8-10". it's hard to say for sure about an individual fish

So are they more likely stable in color after 10in? I know its only a guess but the bigger the better in terms of retaining coloration right?

 

[E_americanus]

Snook - Any idea what size they will be? Any idea how long they would have retained their coloration?



So are they more likely stable in color after 10in? I know its only a guess but the bigger the better in terms of retaining coloration right?

bigger and outside of spawning season would be a good indication (or at least higher likelihood) of retaining the pattern, yes. we'll know more when we see pics though--
--solomon

 

[snookn21]

The gar is 8"+. I only have one. ANd It looks like it has one eye : (

Here are some pics as requested!