All fish / Lepisosteidae

Florida Gar

Lepisosteus platyrhincus

Also known as florida spotted gar, gar, spotted gar, florida gar pike, gar fish, ปลาการ์ฟลอริดา, フロリダガー, ikan gar florida, 佛罗里达雀鳝, 斑点雀鳝

A long, cylindrical predator with a short, broad snout full of needle-like teeth and dark spots scattered over an olive to brown body. It can gulp air with its swim bladder, and keepers like it for its prehistoric look and calm, hovering hunting style.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

18 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Alone or in a small group in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen fish, prawns, earthworms, mussel and carnivore pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

USA: peninsular Florida and southern Georgia (Ochlockonee River basin eastwards)

Breeding

Adults scatter adhesive eggs over vegetation in shallow water in spring, and the eggs are toxic if eaten. Captive breeding needs pond-sized space and is rarely achieved by hobbyists.

Good to know

It commonly reaches 50 to 60 cm and can exceed 80 cm, and it will eat any fish small enough to swallow. Gars are banned or need permits in several places, including parts of Asia, Australia and some US states, so check local law before buying.