Spotted Gar Info

[DannyLee94]

Could anybody tell me is a Spotted Gar a Saltwater or Freshwater fish, also is it available in the pet trade? What size do they grow to? etc.

Thanks, Danny

 

[GarGuy981]

Its fresh water and maxes out around 2 feet. And its sometimes available, but not as common as something like a florida.

 

[SnaKeheAdSrAwSomE]

not nearly as available as floridas look quite similar though. spotted gar has longer snout

 

[Dionysus]

Don't believe any gar are saltwater. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Conner]

I don't believe any gar are saltwater. Some can survive for a time in brackish or even full salt, but they are not saltwater fish.

 

[Noto]

Belone species are a group of saltwater fish often called gar; in fact the name was originally applied to them and not to the freshwater (lepisosteid) gar. They are not related. Some lepisosteid gar wander into saltwater from time to time, especially Atractosteus species, and I have heard of keepers maintaining alligator gar in full marine conditions. But most lepisosteid gar are strictly freshwater fish.

Danny, as others have said spotted gar are freshwater fish and typically get to about 24" long, though wild fish sometimes get bigger than that. They are very rare in the pet trade, but the extremely similar Florida gar is quite common in the pet trade. Most Florida gar in the pet trade are captive bred in Asia. They can be kept with other large, peaceful fish.