Lepisosteus oculatus Winchell, 1864
Spotted gar
photo by Lyons, J.

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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