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LEPISOSTEIDAE.NET |
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Order Lepisosteiformes Family Lepisosteidae Genus Lepisosteus Species oculatus (Winchell 1864) Common name: spotted gar |
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Illustrations © Emily S. Damstra, Joe Tomelleri; used with permission |
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Max Size/Age: 112 cm (wild), adults typically 60-80 cm 18 years
Identification: Lateral line scales - 53-59 Predorsal scales - 45-54 Gill rakers - 15-24
Usually several olive-brown spots on head and body, although spots may be absent in individuals from turbid waters. Snout usually longer than that of shortnose gar, but shorter than that of longnose gar. Very similar in appearance to Florida gar, but may be distinguished by presence of bony plates on lateral portions of isthmus. Spotted gars often have a longer snout and more slender body than that of Florida gars of the same size.
Habitat: freshwater; occasionally brackish temperate Small & large rivers, lakes, swamps Prefers clear, quiet waters, vegetation
Distribution: North America: Lake Erie and south Lake Michigan drainages south through Mississippi River basin to Gulf Slope drainages from lower Apalachicola River in Florida to Nueces River in Texas, USA. Recently found in East Lake, Canada drainage of Lake Ontario. US Distribution by Watershed (NatureServe 2009)
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References: www.fishbase.org www.NatureServe.org |
