Alligator gar
Alligator gar Temporal range: [1]
| |
---|---|
Alligator gar in an aquarium | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Clade: | Ginglymodi |
Order: | Lepisosteiformes |
Family: | Lepisosteidae |
Genus: | Atractosteus |
Species: | A. spatula
|
Binomial name | |
Atractosteus spatula (
Lacépède , 1803) | |
Synonyms[3] | |
Species
|
The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a
The body of an alligator gar is torpedo-shaped, usually brown or olive colored, fading to a lighter gray or yellow
Populations of alligator gar have been
.For nearly a half century, alligator gar were considered "trash fish",
Anatomy
Alligator gar are the largest species in the gar family, and among the largest freshwater fishes found in North America. Mature alligator gar commonly measure 6 ft (1.8 m) in length, and weigh over 100 lb (45 kg). However, anecdotal reports suggest they can grow up to 10 ft (3 m) in length, and weigh as much as 350 lb (159 kg).
All gars have torpedo-shaped bodies, but some distinguishing characteristics of adult alligator gar include: their large size; heavy bodies; broad heads; short, broad snouts; large, sharp teeth; and double row of teeth on their upper jaws. They are usually brown or olive colored, fading to a lighter gray or yellow
Physiology
Alligator gar have
The scales of alligator gar are not like the scales of other fishes, which have flexible
Taxonomy and evolution
Feeding behavior
Alligator gar are relatively passive, seemingly sluggish solitary fish, but voracious
Diet studies have shown alligator gar to be opportunistic piscivores, and even
Spawning
As with most ancestral species, alligator gar are long-lived, and sexually late maturing. Most females do not reach
Actual spawning occurs when males gather around
Distribution
Natural range
Alligator gar inhabit a wide variety of
Outside natural range
Alligator gar is an
In November 2008, a broadhead gar, genus Atractosteus, measuring 5.2 to 6.4 ft (1.6 to 2.0 m) was caught in the Caspian Sea north of Esenguly, Turkmenistan, by two officials of Turkmenistan Fishery Protection.[33]
On September 4, 2009, a 3 ft 3 in (0.99 m) alligator gar was found in Tak Wah Park in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. Over the next two days, at least 16 other alligator gar, the largest measuring 4.9 ft (1.5 m), were found in ponds within public parks in Hong Kong.[34] Nearby residents reported the alligator gar had been released into the ponds by aquarium hobbyists, and had lived there for several years. However, after a complaint made by a citizen who falsely identified alligator gar as crocodiles, the use of terms like "horrible man-eating fish" had begun appearing in the headlines of some major local newspapers. Officials with Leisure and Cultural Services in Tak Wah Park removed all the alligator gar from the ponds because they were concerned the large, carnivorous fish might harm children.[35] Not unusually, the large, sharp teeth and outward appearance of alligator gar can precipitate unreasonable fear in those unfamiliar with the species. Sensationalized reports have contributed to the misconception of predatory attacks by alligator gar on humans, though none of the reports have been confirmed.
On January 21, 2011, an alligator gar measuring 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) was caught in a canal in Pasir Ris, Singapore, by two recreational fishermen. The fish was taken to a nearby pond, where the owner confirmed it was an alligator gar rather than an arapaima, as the men had initially thought.[36]
Anecdotal reports have been made of alligator gar captured in various parts of India, but are believed to be the result of incidental releases by aquarium hobbyists and the like. In August 2015, an alligator gar was found entangled in cloth inside a well in Dadar, where it had been living for quite some time. It was rescued by animal activists and returned to the well unharmed.[37] In June 2016, a 3.5-ft alligator gar was caught from Subhash Sarovar Lake in Kolkata.[38] Other incidents over the years have been random, ranging from captures in coastal waters during environmental assessments[39] to captures in private ponds.
On June 27, 2020, an alligator gar measuring 112 cm (3 ft 8in) was reported dead on the shore of Gonyeli Baraji reservoir,
Similarly, on May 12, 2023, an alligator gar measuring less than 2 feet was caught during a deweeding process in Dal Lake of Kashmir near the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), sparking concerns about potential effects on the ecosystem.[41]
Human uses
Early history
For nearly half a century, alligator gar were considered "trash fish",
Sport fish
The long-time public perception of alligator gar as trash fish or a nuisance species has changed, with increasing national and international attention on the species as a sport fish, which some have attributed to features on popular television shows. Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana allow regulated
Commercialization and aquaculture
Declining populations of alligator gar throughout their historic range have resulted in the need to monitor wild populations and regulate commercial harvests. Alligator gar have a high yield of white-meat fillets and a small percentage of waste relative to body weight. Fried gar balls, grilled filets, and fillets boiled in water with
Atractosteus gars, including alligator gar, tropical gars, and Cuban gars, are considered good candidates for aquaculture, particularly in developing regions, where their rapid growth, disease resistance, easy adaptation to artificial feeds as juveniles, and ability to tolerate low water quality are essential. Their ability to breathe in both air and water eliminates the need for costly aeration systems and other technology commonly used in aquaculture.[49] Despite being considered "trash" or "rough" fish in most of North America, in regions of Central America and the southern United States they have become a popular food fish. Maintaining wild populations of gars has grown in importance to maintaining sustainable aquaculture for "local food production, the aquarium trade, and conservation of biodiversity".[50]
Aquaria
Despite the large size alligator gar can attain, they are kept as aquarium fish, though many fish labeled as "alligator gar" in the aquarium trade are actually smaller species. Alligator gar require a very large aquarium or pond, and ample resources for them to thrive in captivity. They are also a popular fish for public aquaria and zoos. In many areas, keeping alligator gar as pets is illegal, but they occasionally show up in fish stores. Alligator gar are highly prized and sought after for private aquaria, particularly in Japan. According to some reports, large alligator gar could fetch as much as US$40,000 in what some consider the "Japanese black market".
References
- ^ "Atractosteus spatula (Bernard Germain de Lacépède)". Paleontological database.
- . Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Froese, R.; Pauly, D. (2017). "Lepisosteidae". FishBase version (02/2017). Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ a b Brady, Tony (August 2013). "Fleur De Lis Fisheries" (PDF). US Fish & Wildlife Service. p. 2.
- ISBN 9780791401620.
- ^ a b Echevarria, Carlos (February 5, 2013). "Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula". Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. US Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ Lochmann, S.E.; Baker, Brandon W.; Rachels, Kyle T.; Timmons, Brett A. "New Research". Aquaculture and Fisheries Center. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Goddard, Nathaniel. "Alligator Gar". FLMNH Ichthyology Department. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ^ "Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)". Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ "Vicksburg Man Catches 327 Lb. Alligator Gar". WAPT News. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013.
- ^ Love, Chad (February 23, 2011). "World Record Alligator Gar Pulled From Mississippi Lake Tangled in Fisherman's Net". Field & Stream. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ISBN 9781439858547.
- ^ "Biology of Fishes-Fish/Biol 311" (PDF). Swimbladder. University of Washington. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- .
- ^ "Tooth Enamel May Have Evolved From Ancient Fish Scales". ABC Science. September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- PMID 27974575.
- PMID 28035749.
- ISBN 978-1421412016.
- ISBN 9781400849314.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)". 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ISBN 978-0-12-294860-2.
- ^ "Atractosteus spatula (Gemfish)". Animal Diversity Web.
- ^ "Atractosteus spatula". May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Missouri Alligator Gar Management and Restoration Plan" (PDF). Missouri Department of Conservation Fisheries Division. January 22, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 6, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ a b Buckmeier, David L. (July 31, 2008). "Life History and Status of Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula), with Recommendations for Management" (PDF). Heart of Hills Fisheries Science Center. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. p. 5. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ a b "BBest Recommendations Report" (PDF). Sabine/Neches BBest Biological Overlay Approach. Best Biological Subcommittee, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. November 2, 2009. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ a b Thompkins, Shannon (April 19, 2014). "Once a nuisance, alligator gar increasingly protected". Houston Chronicle.
- ISBN 0-226-52604-6
- ^ "Alligator Gar Technical Committee". Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ^ Poly, William J. (2001). "Distribution of the Alligator Gar, Atractosteus spatula (Lacépède, 1803), in Illinois" (PDF). Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science. 94 (3): 185–190. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Webber, Tammy (July 29, 2016). "Once-hated fish now sought to combat Asian carp". Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
- ^ Zuo, Mandy (August 29, 2022). "More 'monster fish' on the loose: sightings of alligator gar emerge in 8 Chinese provinces after a pair caught over weekend". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
- ^ "Hazar deňziniň türkmen kenarynda amerikan sowutly çortanyň tutulmagynyň ilkinji wakasy" (in Turkmen). Türkmenistanyň Tebigaty goramak ministrligi. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Monster exotic fish found in Hong Kong ponds". ABS-CBN News. September 5, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ Nip, Amy (January 10, 2010). "Feared in public ponds, admired behind glass". South China Morning Post.
- ^ "Friends Catch 1.5m 'Monster' Fish From Pasir Ris Canal After Long Struggle". The Straits Times. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016.
- ^ Singh, Vijay (August 6, 2015). "Exotic Alligator Gar fish rescued in Dadar". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ^ Kolkata: Discovery of predator fish that resembles an alligator concerns experts. Hindustan Times (June 22, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-11-10.
- ^ Kumaraguru, A.K.; Kannan, R.; Sundaramahalingam, A. (March 2000). "Studies on Socioeconomics of Coral Reef Resource Users in the Gulf of Mannar Coast, South India" (PDF). Planning Commission Project. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ^ "Gönyeli Barajı'nda timsah balığı". YENİDÜZEN (in Turkish). June 28, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
- ^ "Discovery of predator alligator fish in Srinagar's Dal Lake triggers surprise". Hindustan Times. May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ "Alligator Gar". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ "State Freshwater Records: Rod and Reel". Texas Parks & Wildlife. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ^ "Big Fish Stories Can Have Happier Endings". Texas Parks & Wildlife. May 16, 2011. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Warm Springs NFH Alligator Gar Facts". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Zullo, Robert (March 15, 2009). "One man's 'trash' fish, another's living". Houma Today. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Sutton, Keith (August 27, 2013). "Gar in the Pan Recipes". Bass Pro Shops. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ "Lafayette, Louisiana – Fish". Welcome to Chez Francois Seafood. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
- ^ Alfaro, Roberto M.; Gonzales, Carlos A.; Ferrara, Allyse (2008). "Gar biology and culture: status and prospects" (PDF). Chapter 39. Aquaculture Research. pp. 748–763. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ James, Diana; Contreras-Sanchez, Wilfrido; Solomon, David (2012). "Development of More Sustainable Practices for the Culture of Gars and Other Air-Breathing Fish" (PDF). Vol. 27, no. 3. Oregon State University. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- ^ Horswell, Cindy (June 17, 2011). "Indictments accuse 3 of taking alligator gar fish out of Trinity". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Berstein, Jon (October 15, 2011). "Monster fish tale: Alligator gar sting ends in conviction". SunSentinel. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- ^ "Accused alligator gar smugglers busted in trinity river operation". ABC 9 KTRE. 2011.
- ^ "United States v. Loren Willis et al., Nos. 9:11-CR-00028, 1:11-CR-20676 (E.D. Tex., S.D. Fla.), AUSAs Reynaldo Morin and Jaime Raiche" (PDF). Monthly Bulletin. Regional EnvironmentalEnforcement Association. October 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
- ^ "Opinions" (PDF). U.S. Court of Appeals. April 15, 2014.
Further reading
- "Lepisosteus spatula". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2005). "Lepisosteus spatula" in FishBase. October 2005 version.
- Lacepède, B. G. E. (1803). Histoire Naturelle des Poissons.
- Rafinesque, C. S. (1820). "Ichthyologia Ohiensis (Part 8)". The Western Review and Miscellaneous Magazine: 165–173.
- Weed, Alfred C. (1923). "The Alligator Gar" Field Museum of Natural History
- Wiley E. O. (1976). "The phylogeny and biogeography of fossil and Recent gars (Actinopterygii: Lepisosteidae)". Museum of Natural History University of Kansas Miscellaneous Publication. 64: 1–111.
- "Atractosteus, a genus-name authored by C.S. Rafinesque". University of Evansville. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- "Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)". Texas Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
External links
- Alligator Gar Ad hoc Technical Committee Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society
- Alligator Gar: Predator or Prey – PBS documentary about the biology and life history cycle of alligator gar