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Gar: Spotted Gar | |
 Spotted Gar Common Names - gar, garfish, Florida gar Description - Spotted gars are almost identical to Florida gars. Both species are the only two gars that have dark spots on the top of the head as well as over the entire body and on all the fins. They can be distinguished by the distance between the front of the eye and the rear edge of the gill cover. If the distance is more than two-thirds the length of the snout, it is a spotted gar. If the distance is less than two-thirds the length of the snout, it is a Florida gar. Spotted gars have a single row of teeth in each jaw and has a much broader snout than that of the longnose gar. The coloration generally is darker than that of Florida gars, some fish being almost black, depending on the color of the water. Subspecies - There are no recognized subspecies. However, they may hybridize with Florida gars. Range - They occur west of the Ochlockonee River in the panhandle of Florida. East of the Apalachicola drainage and in the remainder of the state they are replaced by its closest relative, the Florida gar. Habitat - They prefer quiet, clear pools and backwaters of lowland creeks; small-to-large rivers, swamps, sloughs and ditches with an abundance of vegetation or debris. Spotted gars occasionally enter salt water. They also use an air bladder to breathe air in oxygen depleted water. Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs in the spring in heavily vegetated sloughs. The adhesive eggs are dispersed in the water, attach to aquatic vegetation and hatch within six-to-eight days. Larvae adhere to vegetation after hatching by means of a disk-like organ on the tip of the snout while the fish develops. The organ subsequently is lost as the fish develops into an adult. Feeding Habits - Young fish feed on zooplankton, small insect larvae and tiny fish larvae. Adult fish primarily feed on fish and crustaceans. Age and Growth - Growth is very rapid during the first year. They reach a maximum length of up to four feet. Sporting Qualities - They can be caught on a variety of artificial lures; however, dead minnows on a line fished just below the surface are quite effective. Wire leaders prevent the sharp teeth from cutting the line. Also refer to sporting qualities under longnose gar. Eating Quality - Refer to Florida gar. World Record - 8.75 pounds, caught in the Tennessee River, Alabama, in 1987. For more info on gar fishing check out the Gar Anglers' Sporting Society page at http://www.garfishing.com/ | |
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