FL Gar vs. Spotted Gar

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I see people use both terms for the same fish. Are they really the same fish? Or are they actually two different fish?

If they are different, please tell me how.

Whats the deal?

Thanks!

 

[ethnics]

they are 2 different fish from 2 different origins. floridas are from florida and spotted are from like mississippi or something. couldn't tell u the detailed differences tho, i have 2 spotted gars

 

[Sarcosuchus]

You do? Post pictures please we can have a look.

 

[ethnics]

 

[estuary]

nice gars ethnics

 

[E_americanus]

hey ethnics,

great looking fish you have there. how old are they, and did you buy them from an LFS or catch them in the wild? also, do you have any profile pics where the whole snout is showing and not obscured? if you could post those, that would be great.

my initial guess with the provided photos, however, is that at least one of these is actually a Florida gar--
--solomon

 

[ethnics]

if u say 1 is, then both are, they are identical to one another... those pics are showing my shortnose gar too. i have 3 total gars. i got them from a friend of mine who raised them from 6". ive had them for about 8 months now... but they are about a year n a half.

 

[Polypterus]

The "shortnosed" needs some food...Other two are Florida by all appearances. Did your friend catch these or where they LFS bought?

 

[dmarinko]

they are very different