Florida or spotted gar? Please id.

[Kashif314]

Seen a about 20 cm long gar at the store. I don't know if its a spotted of a florida gar. The store guy is not sure about it. I am on my way to enter into monster fish. I read that these spotted gars (if it is a spotted gar" don't grow so big. Is it ok to house this particular species in a 2 meter long tank? I don't have the tank now but maximum I can go for is 180 or 200 cm tank. Please id this fish and please advise the tank size requirements. Thanks.

Image attched.

 

[kno4te]

Gator gar.

 

[Kashif314]

Gator gar.

Are you sure? This has spots on it while Alligator gar have one colour and no spots. Please correct if I am wrong. Thanks

 

[tlindsey]

Are you sure? This has spots on it while Alligator gar have one colour and no spots. Please correct if I am wrong. Thanks

The snout is of Gator Gar.

 

[Kashif314]

The snout is of Gator Gar.

ok thank you dear

 

[ReApEr666]

Are you sure? This has spots on it while Alligator gar have one colour and no spots. Please correct if I am wrong. Thanks

100% gator...all juvie gators have spots, they are often almost all black...they keep pattern for quite some time also even up to 3-4'... its only the pictures of the giants 6'+ that may be confusing you for having one color. They get alot lighter brown as they age. Ive seen some adults retain the dark base tho just the same.

 

[Kashif314]

100% gator...all juvie gators have spots, they are often almost all black...they keep pattern for quite some time also even up to 3-4'... its only the pictures of the giants 6'+ that may be confusing you for having one color. They get alot lighter brown as they age. Ive seen some adults retain the dark base tho just the same.

Thanks dear. So adding this 15 cm to a 5 feet isn't a great idea? Maybe just for an year?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

You can't tell a Florida gar from a spotted one from the external features. Period. Been proven.

Now this is moot as this is an alligator gar, as stated, they have plenty of spots when young.

In a 5 feet x 2 feet tank, a 6" alligator gar might last about 6-10 months if properly fed and taken care of. YMMV. My opinion.