My new little monster.

[Mystus Redtail]

I posted this pic of my new little gar in the photo lounge and mentioned that I thought he was an alligator gar which got me thinking I should probably make sure. I got him at about .5" and very skinny, now about 2" a couple of weeks later. Tell me what you think.

 

[HPIZZLE]

longnose???
dont ask me i dont really know what im talking about, but beautiful gar!!

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Thanks for the kind words, my hope has been longnose, but realistically I think it is a gator. Based on my experience.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

On the other hand, according to the map I found of their territory, it is possible that longnose live in the area he is from.

 

[HPIZZLE]

well then for you i hope its a longnose as well.

 

[city_of_evil6661]

definate longnose given the long slender snout and skinny body. is it albino? it looks like it in the pic and if it is............ amazing.

 

[E_americanus]

the fish definitely isn't an alligator gar, if so it would have a much different body shape/type even at that size. did you catch the fish or purchase it? it is definitely from the genus Lepisosteus, but narrowing down the exact species at this stage is difficult. in another week or two we should be able to narrow it down to just one or two species. nice looking fish--
--solomon

 

[city_of_evil6661]

^agree. in my opinion its most likely a longnose, but i could be wrong.

 

[Polypterus]

Lepisosteus species....No point in an ID beyond that as it could be a few by those pics and the info available.
As Solomon asked did you catch it or Buy it?
If you caught it what watershed did you get it from this will narrow the species quickly.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Mississippi River. 2-3 feet of water.