lautnusantara.com The unique fish with a long body and snout resembling a crocodile is spread throughout freshwater. They belong to the family Lepisosteidae and have been around for approximately 157 million years, since the late Jurassic period.

Based on the species, their length ranges from 0.76 to 4 meters. Meanwhile, the alligator gar, as the largest species, can reach a length of 3 meters and a weight of 127 kilograms. This is different from the smallest species, the shortnose gar, which is only about 0.61 meters long.

It's important to note that in some gar species, females are larger than males. This fish has diamond-shaped ganoid scales all over its body, which serve as protection. If you're curious about the life of gar fish in the wild, let's read some unique facts about them below.

1. Inhabit Low-Oxygen Waters

The habitat of gar fish includes freshwater rivers, swamps, and brackish waters with low oxygen content. However, some gar species occasionally visit saltwater. Their movement in the water appears unique, as they look like floating logs.

According to A-Z Animals, this fish can also dive into deep water to hunt, but must return to the surface occasionally to breathe air.

2. So Far, There Are Seven Surviving Gar Species

The same source explains that there are seven surviving gar species. Three of them are in the genus Atractosteus and the other four in Lepisosteus. The largest species is known as the alligator gar, which inhabits the southeastern United States and Mexico. There is also the Cuban gar, which can be found in western Cuba, and the tropical gar in southern Mexico and Costa Rica.

Meanwhile, there is one species endemic to Florida and Georgia. The shortnose gar is endemic to the Mississippi River. The spotted gar inhabits the waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. The last species, with a wide distribution around the eastern United States, is known as the longnose gar.

3. Only a Few Predators Hunt Gar Fish

Its status as an apex predator in its habitat means that the gar has only a few predators besides humans. As an opportunistic hunter, its diet is quite diverse, consisting of crustaceans, insects, frogs, and other fish. They move slowly in the water and ambush nearby prey. Gar fish are not picky about food at all; whether it's alive or dead, they're ready to eat it.

4. Have Many Characteristics Found in Ancient Fish

Interestingly, gar fish have several primitive features (characteristics typically found in ancient fish). Their skeletal system has more cartilage than bone. Furthermore, their vertebrae are opisthocoelous, meaning the front part is convex while the back part is concave. This feature is also found in reptiles.

According to Seaworld Parks and Entertainment, this type of vertebrae is not found in any other fish except those in the order Semionotiformes. They also have a swim bladder connected to their throat, which functions like a lung.

5. Gar Fish Mating System

Most gar species spawn in the spring. During this time, the females tend to swim into shallow water to lay tens of thousands of eggs. They don't worry much because, strangely, their eggs are poisonous to many predators, including humans. However, there are also some fish that are immune to the poison.

It only takes a few days for the larvae to hatch from the eggs and attach themselves to aquatic plants. They spend their early lives absorbing the remaining yolk before preying on other small fish. Their lifespan is also quite long; most live for 10–20 years in the wild. Some gar species can even live for over 50 years.

This is a very unique fish, isn't it? The alligator gar is often mistaken for an alligator because of its large size and long snout. An important note from the previous facts is that the flesh of this fish is not dangerous, but be careful because its eggs contain poison that also affects humans. As additional information, the hard scales of gar fish are used to make jewelry, arrows, plows, and even armor.

If you are interested in our  CALAMARI WHOLE ROUND,CUTTLEFISH WHOLE ROUND please do not hesitate to contact us through email and/or whatsapp.