Fish World | The Alligator Gar Fish | The Alligator Gar Fish ("Gator Gar"), a spatula Atractosteus is a primitive ray-finned fishes. Unlike some other guy, the Alligator Gar mature has a double row of large teeth in the upper jaw. Its name derives the appearance of crocodile-like snout with teeth of the fish. The dorsal surface of the Alligator Gar is brown or olive color, while the ventral surface tends to be lighter. Their scales are diamond shaped and Nesting (ganoid) and are sometimes used by Native Americans for the leaders of jewelry and arrows.
With its status as largest species of Gar, Alligator Gar is the largest exclusively freshwater fish in North America, measuring 8 to 10 feet (2.4 to 3.0 m) and weighing at least 200 lb ( 91 kg) at maturity. Kenny Williams of Vicksburg, Mississippi, broke the record for the largest alligator ever caught Gar with a net. He caught the fish 14 February 2011, it measured 8 ft. 5 in. (2.57 m) long, 327 lb (148 kg) of weight, and nearly 48 inches (120 cm). The fish is believed to have been between 50 and 70 years, wildlife officials said. Williams donated the fish to the Museum of Natural Science in Jackson Mississippi, where he will be on permanent display in the future.
The current world record for largest alligator Gar caught on rod and reel is 279 lb (127 kg). The most important is taken by bowfishing 365 lb (166 kg). The fish is also known for its ability to survive out of water, up to two hours above the surface.
Alligator gar are found in the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Coast states of the Southern States-Mexico border to the south of Veracruz, which encompasses the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida and Georgia. They have also been known historically to come as far north as central Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, and west-central Illinois, where the catch was verified as North at Meredosia, Illinois in 1922 and a 8.5 ft (2.6 m) specimen, now preserved, was captured near Beardstown. Samples at locations further south in Illinois have been tested recently in 1976 with the Academy of Sciences of Illinois controlled a total of 122 catches on that date. They inhabit sluggish pools and backwaters or large rivers, bayous and lakes. They are found in brackish or salt, and are more adaptable to the latter that are the other guys. In Louisiana, it is common to see these large gardens striking the surface in the brackish marshes.
Alligator gar are found in the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Coast states of the Southern States-Mexico border to the south of Veracruz, which encompasses the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida and Georgia. They have also been known historically to come as far north as central Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, and west-central Illinois, where the catch was verified as North at Meredosia, Illinois in 1922 and a 8.5 ft (2.6 m) specimen, now preserved, was captured near Beardstown. Samples at locations further south in Illinois have been tested recently in 1976 with the Academy of Sciences of Illinois controlled a total of 122 catches on that date. They inhabit sluggish pools and backwaters or large rivers, bayous and lakes. They are found in brackish or salt, and are more adaptable to the latter that are the other guys. In Louisiana, it is common to see these large gardens striking the surface in the brackish marshes.
There have been some remarkable observations Alligator Gar outside North America. In February 2007, a 1.5 m (4.9 ft) was found Alligator Gar swimming in Jakarta, Indonesia, when the city was hit by a major flood (see External Links below). In January 2008, a 3 kg (6.6 lb) alligator gar was found by fishermen in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia, where he was entangled in a fishing net.
In November 2008, from 0.5 to 0.6 m (1.6 to 2.0 ft) long Alligator Gar was caught in northern Esenguly, Turkmenistan by two officials of the Fisheries Protection in Turkmenistan. Dr R. Mayden, Saint Louis University and Dr. Eric Hilton, Virginia Institute of Marine Science has confirmed that it was probably a spatula Atractosteus.
On September 4, 2009, a 1 m (3.3 ft) long Alligator Gar was found in Tak Wah Park in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. In the next two days, at least 16 Alligator Gars other, with the largest measuring 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long, were found in ponds in public parks in Hong Kong. As reported by local residents, the fish were released into ponds by the aquarium and had lived for some years. However, after a complaint from a citizen who falsely identified the crocodile fish, words like "horrible Man-eating fish" were found in the titles of some major local newspapers. Government officials decided to remove all fish ponds as they claimed species have no conservation value and would affect the local ecology if left in the ponds.
The Recreation and Cultural Department said it would offer non-hazardous Fish for animal welfare groups and charities. The fish was caught first died later that day, and claims were made that the local government does not treat the guys in a way animal-friendly - they were seen catching fish with nets and improvised garbage. On 6 September, the government put down all the fish as he said that there were no organizations ready to be taken. September 8, however, the Hong Kong Ocean Park announced he was ready to catch fish for the exhibition and public education. Five guys survivor, taken September 7, were sent to the Ocean Park.
On September 4, 2009, a 1 m (3.3 ft) long Alligator Gar was found in Tak Wah Park in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. In the next two days, at least 16 Alligator Gars other, with the largest measuring 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long, were found in ponds in public parks in Hong Kong. As reported by local residents, the fish were released into ponds by the aquarium and had lived for some years. However, after a complaint from a citizen who falsely identified the crocodile fish, words like "horrible Man-eating fish" were found in the titles of some major local newspapers. Government officials decided to remove all fish ponds as they claimed species have no conservation value and would affect the local ecology if left in the ponds.
The Recreation and Cultural Department said it would offer non-hazardous Fish for animal welfare groups and charities. The fish was caught first died later that day, and claims were made that the local government does not treat the guys in a way animal-friendly - they were seen catching fish with nets and improvised garbage. On 6 September, the government put down all the fish as he said that there were no organizations ready to be taken. September 8, however, the Hong Kong Ocean Park announced he was ready to catch fish for the exhibition and public education. Five guys survivor, taken September 7, were sent to the Ocean Park.
On January 21, 2011, 1.5 m (4.9 ft) Alligator Gar was caught in a canal in Pasir Ris, Singapore by two anglers. The fish was caught from a pond nearby where the owner has confirmed as an alligator Gar, Arapaima and not men inititally thought.
Alligator guys have also recently become a "trophy" fish for aquariums, especially in Japan. In June 2011, a group of men from Florida and Louisiana were charged with illegally removing Gar wild Trinity River, Texas and trying to ship the fish to Japan at the request of private collectors. It is alleged that the largest fish may have recovered $ 40 000 in the Japanese market in black.
The Alligator Gar is relatively passive, solitary fish that lives in fresh and brackish waters in the southeastern U.S. It is carnivorous and feeds by lurking amongst reeds and other vegetation ambush prey,. Alligator gar have often been suspected in attacks on humans, but none of these attacks have been officially confirmed to be the work of this kind.
Fish is popular among bowfishers because of its size and its tendency to fight. An interesting feature of this fish anatomy is that its buoyancy bladder is directly connected to his throat, giving him the opportunity to draw in the air above the water. For this reason, Alligator Gar are often found near the surface of a body of water.
Alligator guys have also recently become a "trophy" fish for aquariums, especially in Japan. In June 2011, a group of men from Florida and Louisiana were charged with illegally removing Gar wild Trinity River, Texas and trying to ship the fish to Japan at the request of private collectors. It is alleged that the largest fish may have recovered $ 40 000 in the Japanese market in black.
The Alligator Gar is relatively passive, solitary fish that lives in fresh and brackish waters in the southeastern U.S. It is carnivorous and feeds by lurking amongst reeds and other vegetation ambush prey,. Alligator gar have often been suspected in attacks on humans, but none of these attacks have been officially confirmed to be the work of this kind.
Fish is popular among bowfishers because of its size and its tendency to fight. An interesting feature of this fish anatomy is that its buoyancy bladder is directly connected to his throat, giving him the opportunity to draw in the air above the water. For this reason, Alligator Gar are often found near the surface of a body of water.
