Help me ID these Gars....

[Conner]

given they are likely from the same batch, i would say they are most likely Florida gars. the first one is definitely a Florida gar, but the second one, given the pic presented, could very well be a shortnose. would be odd to see one at this time in the year, but anything is possible these days. if you can get a few more pics of the second one, including a dorsal shot if possible, we could get you a more solid ID.--
--solomon

It does look a little different, especially from the top, (snout does look a little more extended to me compared to the florida) but I don't think it really looks too much like my shortnose gars did at that size... I don't know what it might be if not a florida...

 

[E_americanus]

It does look a little different, especially from the top, (snout does look a little more extended to me compared to the florida) but I don't think it really looks too much like my shortnose gars did at that size... I don't know what it might be if not a florida...

shortnoses actually show a high degree of variability as well, so one group of shortys may not reflect what one sees in several individuals from different batches, populations, etc.

it is more than likely just a variation on the Florida, as spotteds also show this high degree of variation. I currently have spotted gars from louisiana that look very different from the michigan spots, but there is also a high degree of variation within individuals from those populations.

i have kept shortnoses that looked almost exactly like young spots or Floridas (some of the juvenile pics of shortnoses on primitivefishes.com reflect this, and we weren't able to determine shortnose until the fish was several inches larger).

if i could see the fish in person i could tell you with more certainty...for now we'll just have to wait and see as the fish grows. it's definitely a stark contrast to the Florida in the dorsal view pics. either way, nice fishes--
--solomon

 

[keebler06]

Thank you on the compliment, I will pass it along to the gars, Saber, (the gray one) Apollo, (the brown one) and Snaggle, (the longnose, not in the pics.)
On a serious note though I will post more pics as they get bigger.