Family: |
Lepisosteidae (Gars) |
Max. size: |
150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,440.0 g; max. reported age: 18 years |
Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; brackish |
Distribution: |
North America: Lake Erie and south Lake Michigan drainages south through Mississippi River basin to Gulf Slope drainages from lower Apalachicola River in Florida to Nueces River in Texas, USA. |
Diagnosis: |
Profusion of dark spots on the body, head and fins. Dark in coloration (Ref. 37032). |
Biology: |
Adults occur in quiet, clear pools and backwaters of lowland creeks, small to large rivers, oxbow lakes, swamps and sloughs. Occasionally enter brackish waters. A voracious predator feeding on various kinds of fishes and crustaceans. |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 March 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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