Fin's Fish Guide
The Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Lepisosteidae that grows up to 200 cm.
Description
The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is an ancient North American predator of the family Lepisosteidae. The species has a strongly elongate, cylindrical body covered with hard, diamond-shaped ganoid scales, and a very long, narrow snout full of sharp teeth; it can exceed two metres. Adults live in sluggish pools, backwaters and oxbows of rivers and lakes, often near vegetation, and sometimes enter brackish water. Thanks to a swim bladder that functions as a lung it can breathe air. As an ambush predator it hunts fishes. The toothy snout can bite and the roe (eggs) is poisonous to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Gar?
The Gar has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Very long toothed snout and hard ganoid scales; air-breathing, with poisonous roe.
Where does the Gar live?
The Gar lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Rivers and lakes of North and Central America.
How big does the Gar get?
The Gar grows to a maximum of about 200 cm. On average the species is around 18 cm.
Is the Gar dangerous to humans?
The Gar can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. The toothy snout can give a painful bite wound; keep hands out of the mouth when unhooking. Note: the roe (eggs) of gars is poisonous and must not be eaten, even though the flesh is edible. For a bite wound, clean, disinfect and seek medical help for a deep wound.
Is the Gar edible?
The Gar is rarely eaten.
More photos
Want the complete picture on the Gar?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Gar is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lepisosteus
More from the family Lepisosteidae
Want the complete picture on the Gar?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Gar is one of 12,519 species in the app.