How do you know if it is a Black Alligator Gar?

[witchking]

Ok im having a hard time searching for a black alligator gar. Is there ever one in the hobby? If so, how can you tell if you are going to buy a youngling?
Are there certain shades I should look into?

This is the common one right?

http://www.bluewater-anglers.com/freshwater/alligator_gar8.jpg

And here is what Im looking for

http://images.wikia.com/travel/en/images/6/65/All_gar.jpg

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

I don't know but the black version does look much cooler

 

[E_americanus]

the second pic isn't a black (or truly melanistic) ALG, it's just showing a darker pattern...some ALGs can do this more than others, but it's actually pretty common. a true melanistic gar will be jet black--
--solomon

PS-- come to think of it, i don't think i've ever seen a pic of a melanistic gator...plenty of other gar species though--

 

[witchking]

Ok thanks for clearing that up. I;m gonna post pics later this week. I think I saw a heavily spotted ALG on one of our LFS. I'm not sure if it is gonna turn out to be as dark as the one I posted. Will do a snap shot

 

[bobtan]

i do realise that when zoos or some aquarium keep gators...they tend to turn blacl somehow or anth...mayb the light?mayb stress?i dont know

Sent from my GT-I9100 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[watsontony]

I would absolutely love to get a melanistic alligator gar!!!

 

[Ambervikings91]

it is very cool indeed