Melanistic Spotted gar in the wild?

[GeorgeHaddaway15]

I caught this spotted gar on the brazos river in Texas. It seemed unusually black for a spotted gar. Is it melanistic, or something in between? I'm not sure, so that's why I'm asking all the gar specialists to see.
Thanks,
George Haddaway

 

[Hao]

I caught this spotted gar on the brazos river in Texas. It seemed unusually black for a spotted gar. Is it melanistic, or something in between? I'm not sure, so that's why I'm asking all the gar specialists to see.
Thanks,
George Haddaway

View attachment 1399843

I don't think it's a melanistic fish. As far as I know spotted gars vary a lot in color and pattern. Someone I know bought a melanistic longnose gar but after a few months in its tank, the fish turned out to be a longnose.

 

[jpcampbell123]

Nice it does occur but it's rare maybe others will chime in

 

[jpcampbell123]

I had one at one point

 

[Lepisosteus]

Did you keep it?

 

[GeorgeHaddaway15]

No. I released it

 

[HungDang]

thats a normal spotted gar