Florida Gar breathing

[ospy]

I used to have a florida gar back in the 80's for a few years and then kids came along so I put my hobby on hold for about 16 years. I now have a new set up and just bought another florida gar. I don't remember noticing this about my gar before but am quite aware now of the habbit my new gar has of sticking his nose out for some air. Can anyone explain to me whats really going on here? Gars have gills so its just a regular fish right? However, am I wrong, or do they also have nostrils? If so, does this mean it has lungs of some nature? I know this is a simple question for many of you. Thanks for taking the time to educate me. OSPY

 

[Sarcosuchus]

I am glad you are back to the hobby. Yes you are right, Gar fish do have nostrils at the tip of their snout like a Crocodile and yes they are air breathers.

"The snout is elongated, with the nostrils located at the tip. The gar breathes with its gills and with its special lunglike air bladder. Due to the highly vascularised air bladder that is connected to its throat, the gar may survive in hot, stagnant waters that might not have sufficient oxygen for most other species of fish."

This being said, if they have no access to the surface they would literally suffocate and drown. But do they primarily suck air through their nostrils? This I am not sure as I often see my Florida Gar lifting its nostrils above the surface a little with its mouth open quickly taking a gulp of air. So I have believed that they do it with their mouth. Now, let's see some pictures of your Florida Gar eh?

 

[ospy]

thanks for the prompt friendly reply. Also, thanks for the information. It was exactly what I was looking for. I'll try and post some pics.

 

[Sarcosuchus]

thanks for the prompt friendly reply. Also, thanks for the information. It was exactly what I was looking for. I'll try and post some pics.

No problem at all, I am new to Gar fish keeping, there are many experienced keepers here that would love to help at any time possible. You are welcome and I'll wait patiently for the pictures! If you would like to have a look at my Florida Gar, here is the link with updated pictures throughout the pages, have fun with your hobby! :
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43310

 

[E_americanus]

fishes generally use their 'nostrils' (actually called nares) for chemoreception, not for breathing like humans and many other vertebrates do. they take gulps of air with their mouth, and then this air goes into their vascularized gas bladder. their gills are not efficient enough to provide them with adequate oxygen at higher activity periods, and in anoxic conditions gars (and several other air breathing fishes) take in atmospheric air instead.

hope that helps, and also glad you got back into the hobby...and that you're keeping gars --
--solomon

 

[ospy]

Thanks Sarcosuchus for the link. It seems there is confusion and debate over what kind of gar you have. I have to admit, I too am unsure of "exactly" what gar I have. I KNOW, its not an alligator gar (because I had one accidentally for a short time), and they are pretty easy to identify. It could be a spotted gar that I have. Please, everybody stay tuned, I will post some pictures today. Then you experts can tell me what kind of gar I have. Whatever it is, its a beauty! Thanks, OSPY

Thanks E_Americanus for the help and the welcome!