gars & feeding...

[E_americanus]

just wanted to make a general comment reGARding gars and prey types since i have been out of the loop on some threads and i feel this point needs to be made.

gars are actually quite gape limited when it comes to prey items. this is why a lot of early angler perceptions (including many DNR units) thinking gars were 'eating all the big sport fishes' are incorrect. gars really only eat the smaller fishes. although a longnose gar may reach over 5' in the wild, their gape is still limited to only several inches...maybe 4-5" at most, give or take. gape limitation has been overcome by several other fishes, such as P's which take chunks out of prey, or eels which will often incorporate spin-feeding. gars, however, have no method for overcoming gape limitation and therefore really can only handle prey up to the width of their jaws toward the base (i.e. gape).

gars are generally aware of this and usually won't take on prey items that won't fit their gape. there are mistakes that are made, but they usually aren't so drastic that a gar goes after a dog, cat, capybara, or human. hopefully this point is clear--
--solomon

 

[Horiyoshi III]

Nice write up man.

Always look forward to seeing your posts.

 

[xander]

nice read, great info as usual!

 

[city_of_evil6661]

nice info solomon.

 

[demjor19]

just wanted to make a general comment reGARding gars and prey types since i have been out of the loop on some threads and i feel this point needs to be made.

gars are actually quite gape limited when it comes to prey items. this is why a lot of early angler perceptions (including many DNR units) thinking gars were 'eating all the big sport fishes' are incorrect. gars really only eat the smaller fishes. although a longnose gar may reach over 5' in the wild, their gape is still limited to only several inches...maybe 4-5" at most, give or take. gape limitation has been overcome by several other fishes, such as P's which take chunks out of prey, or eels which will often incorporate spin-feeding. gars, however, have no method for overcoming gape limitation and therefore really can only handle prey up to the width of their jaws toward the base (i.e. gape).

gars are generally aware of this and usually won't take on prey items that won't fit their gape. there are mistakes that are made, but they usually aren't so drastic that a gar goes after a dog, cat, capybara, or human. hopefully this point is clear--
--solomon

They may not be able to eat the "big sport fishes", but they are definitely capable of having a slight impact on the smaller sport fish population which would eventually make up the larger sport fish population. I can see the points on both sides of this arguement, but it's all just part of the ecosystem.

 

[Polypterus]

They may not be able to eat the "big sport fishes", but they are definitely capable of having a slight impact on the smaller sport fish population which would eventually make up the larger sport fish population. I can see the points on both sides of this arguement, but it's all just part of the ecosystem.

The impact gar have is in general positive by the reduction of overpopulation and stunting of these game fish. Therefore they actually serve to better the overall fishery for these game fish.

 

[demjor19]

They may not be able to eat the "big sport fishes", but they are definitely capable of having a slight impact on the smaller sport fish population which would eventually make up the larger sport fish population. I can see the points on both sides of this arguement, but it's all just part of the ecosystem.[/quote]

The impact gar have is in general positive by the reduction of overpopulation and stunting of these game fish. Therefore they actually serve to better the overall fishery for these game fish.

What about carp? I know you hate carp, but are they not serving a similar purpose? BTW...i do agree with you Richard, that's why i made the comment above. Just a friendly debate.

sorry for the derail solomon.

 

[Polypterus]

They may not be able to eat the "big sport fishes", but they are definitely capable of having a slight impact on the smaller sport fish population which would eventually make up the larger sport fish population. I can see the points on both sides of this arguement, but it's all just part of the ecosystem.[/quote]




What about carp? I know you hate carp, but are they not serving a similar purpose? BTW...i do agree with you Richard, that's why i made the comment above. Just a friendly debate.

sorry for the derail solomon.

Umm no carp are not in anyway serving a positive ecologic purpose....

 

[KaraJo]

Umm no carp are not in anyway serving a positive ecologic purpose....

So what is the difference between gar eating smaller fish, and carp eating smaller fish? Is it just that carp can eat more? Then again, look at an alligator gar, and that's not the case. I know you hate carp, but what is the big differences as to why this is good for gar, but not good for carp to be doing esentially the same thing?

 

[Polypterus]

So what is the difference between gar eating smaller fish, and carp eating smaller fish? Is it just that carp can eat more? Then again, look at an alligator gar, and that's not the case. I know you hate carp, but what is the big differences as to why this is good for gar, but not good for carp to be doing esentially the same thing?

Carp do not eat small fish.. Carp destroy spawning grounds and silt over eggs.. Gar do not wreck habitat.. Carp do... There is absolutly nothing these fish do that is in common..