Bony fish · Lepisosteiformes · Lepisosteidae
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
The alligator gar, known in Spanish as catán, is a lepisosteiform fish of the family Lepisosteidae, the largest of the gars, which, unlike other fish in its family, has a double row of teeth in its upper jaw.
Weight
up to 137 kg
Size
up to 2.6 m
Lifespan
50 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America: the published record is around 137 kg.
- Its roe is toxic to humans even though the flesh is edible.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bony fish)
- Habitat & environment
- Large rivers, lakes, bayous and backwaters of the Mississippi basin and the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain; it also enters brackish water
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atractosteus_spatula
Where to watch it
Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 12 de 20 documentados.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Alligator Gar — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera
Least ConcernAmerican Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about alligator gar.
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