Which Gar Species Do I Have Exactly?
- Thread starter Sarcosuchus
- Start date
Malcus;570781; said:
Lepisosteus Oculatus is Spotted Gar, so yes the same fish. He wasn't aware I see.
Polypterus;570349; said:
You are welcome and thank you. I have this thing to talk to you about as well as E_americanus, from my observation Spotted Gar and Florida Gar's caudal both indeed have spots, both indeed have line or band that begins from their snout to the head before we see the spots but I see a difference.
Let me know what you think, you may already be aware of this characteristic ( or maybe this isn't sound but just individual characteristics or maybe it's the other way around ). When we look at the Florida Gar, we see that as the band or line that begins from the snout finishes at its head before the spots are followed, what I observe is that from that line begins a line / row of spots and then two rows of spots at both sides of this single row of spots. So it makes three rows of spots on top of a Florida Gar ( one row directly at the top and two at both sides of this single row, like you can see from the picture below, Spotted Gar left, Florida Gar right ) while for a Spotted Gar it seems different.
When I see a Spotted Gar I see the similar band or line goes from the snout to head before followed by similar spots but these spots are not in order as Florida Gar's ( the three rows ), but these spots are either looking two rows or just scattered over its body. And the spots look bigger or more roundish ( a typical spot ) than of the Florida Gar's. What do you think?
And yes I would gladly update you with my Gar's pictures. Thank you again.
Sarcosuchus;570857; said:You are welcome and thank you. I have this thing to talk to you about as well as E_americanus, from my observation Spotted Gar and Florida Gar's caudal both indeed have spots, both indeed have line or band that begins from their snout to the head before we see the spots but I see a difference.
Let me know what you think, you may already be aware of this characteristic ( or maybe this isn't sound but just individual characteristics or maybe it's the other way around ). When we look at the Florida Gar, we see that as the band or line that begins from the snout finishes at its head before the spots are followed, what I observe is that from that line begins a line / row of spots and then two rows of spots at both sides of this single row of spots. So it makes three rows of spots on top of a Florida Gar ( one row directly at the top and two at both sides of this single row, like you can see from the picture below, Spotted Gar left, Florida Gar right ) while for a Spotted Gar it seems different.
When I see a Spotted Gar I see the similar band or line goes from the snout to head before followed by similar spots but these spots are not in order as Florida Gar's ( the three rows ), but these spots are either looking two rows or just scattered over its body. And the spots look bigger or more roundish ( a typical spot ) than of the Florida Gar's. What do you think?
And yes I would gladly update you with my Gar's pictures. Thank you again.
Spot pattern and coloration are usually regarded as secondary characteristics given the variability of they fish. I've seen definite Florida gars with spotted gar coloration characteristics. You are on to something in that color variation but it is never a definite conclusion in their ID. Coloration is best used to define what your next step is to look at to ID the fish. Spotted and Florida do have distinctive differences that can be recognized with seeing enough of them and particularly if you have the opportunity to raise both from a known location that verifiys the species.
It is a good first point of reference to look at the coloration and pattern of the fish but the defining characters are in the measurements and proportions of the fish. If you look in the above pic that shows the Spotted right next to the Florida, you will see perfectly the Snout proportions typical in younger classes of these fish. The Flordia has a more narrow and slightly longer snout where the Spotted is shorter and broader. This trait as Solomon stated switches at some point to where it is the opposite. Adult proportions are different from young of the year or immature class fish. There are also other less distinct traits in the Fin and body proportions... these are rather elusive however to describe well.
I definitly look forword to seeing further updated pics of your fish.
Malcus;570781; said:
they are the same ofcoz sorry for the the wrong information,(fast reply lead to mistake)
Polypterus,
I agree and you are right I am aware with the switching in the snout length between Florida and Spotted as they grow. We will just have to wait and see! I have got updates for you, look how silvery he has gotten! and thank you for checking out.
Bullterrier,
That happens, no problem!
check out the updates!
I agree and you are right I am aware with the switching in the snout length between Florida and Spotted as they grow. We will just have to wait and see! I have got updates for you, look how silvery he has gotten!
and thank you for checking out.Bullterrier,
That happens, no problem!
check out the updates!These pictures below were taken when you asked for an update, see the quick difference between these and the new above ones. He wasn't as silvery as he is now. Still a beauty though. The picture where he is looking darker is a little older than the rest, I have written on it just incase. What a transformation, I am sorry if I have already posted one or two of these pictures before.
The picture where he is looking darker is a little older than the rest, I have written on it just incase. What a transformation, I am sorry if I have already posted one or two of these pictures before.Sorry I dropped out there and Have not commented on your newer pics of the fish until now.
First: He's looking very very nice
Second: I'm even more convinced of him being a Platyrhinchus over Oculatus
First: He's looking very very nice
Second: I'm even more convinced of him being a Platyrhinchus over Oculatus
