White Longnose Gar

[pagojoe]

I tagged this pic onto another thread, but rather than hijack, I guess I'll start a new thread. I understand that pure white gar in the genus Lepisosteus are either super rare or nonexistent, but I wonder where a gar like this one falls? I know of another one just like it, almost totally white but with a few dark markings. I suppose it's not albino, so would it be considered simply hypomelanistic? Do quite a few aquarists have white longnose? How rare is this type of gar? I adjusted the lighting on the original pic, which was too dark, and blew up the part with the gar to give you a better view. The colors should be accurate or very close, I hope. (Pics are the property of Aaron Long and the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas.)

Original pic here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/longstation/2983417501/

Thanks,



Don

 

[trevinoboy]

thats a hella beast gar

 

[pagojoe]

Yeah, that's the East Texas strain that grows to about 60 pounds. They're hefty compared to the ones from the east coast of the U.S.

 

[Journeykc]

I have several at home (shortnose I think) that are like that. They are white to light beige, with little to no markings at all.