Shortnose gar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shortnose gar |
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The shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) is a unique freshwater fish. It belongs to a very old family of fish called Lepisosteidae. You can find it in the United States, mainly in the Mississippi and Missouri River areas. This fish lives in calm waters of large rivers, quiet pools, and oxbow lakes.
The shortnose gar is long and thin. It is usually brown or olive green on top and white underneath. It grows to about 60 cm (24 in) long. Its body is covered in tough, diamond-shaped scales that fit together like armor.
This fish is a clever ambush predator. It mostly eats other fish. But it also enjoys crustaceans, insects, and other small creatures. Shortnose gar lay their eggs in spring. Females often have several males with them. They attach their eggs to plants underwater. The eggs are not safe for humans to eat. They hatch in about a week. Young gar eat tiny insect larvae and small crustaceans. They become adults around three years old.
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What Does a Shortnose Gar Look Like?
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Shortnose gar look like they came from prehistoric times! They have a long, torpedo-shaped body. This shape helps them wait quietly for prey. Their head is also long, with a single row of sharp, cone-shaped teeth.
Like many ancient fish, their bodies are covered in special scales. These are called ganoid scales. They are diamond-shaped and interlock tightly. This creates a very strong, yet flexible, armor. It protects the fish very well.
The fin on their back (dorsal fin) is located far back on their body. It is almost directly above the fin on their belly (anal fin). Both are very close to their large tail fin (caudal fin).
Shortnose gar can be different colors. They are usually brown or olive green on their back. Their sides are yellow, and their belly is white. You can tell them apart from other gar species. They do not have the wide upper jaw of the alligator gar. They also lack the very long snout of the longnose gar. And they don't have the distinct spots of the spotted gar. A shortnose gar can grow up to 88 cm (35 in) long. But most are around 62.5 cm (25 in).
Where Do Shortnose Gar Live?
Shortnose gar prefer calm waters. They live in large rivers and their quiet side channels. You can also find them in oxbow lakes and big, still pools. They often hide around underwater plants or fallen logs.
Gar can survive in water with very little oxygen. They can also live in cloudy (turbid) conditions. This is because they have a special gas bladder. This bladder can act like a lung. It helps them breathe oxygen from air they swallow. It also helps them float.
Reproduction and Life Cycle of the Shortnose Gar
Shortnose gar usually lay their eggs in spring. This happens in April, May, or June. The water temperature is usually between 16 and 21 °C (61 and 70 °F).
Female gar scatter many yellowish-green eggs. They do this in quiet, shallow water. The eggs stick together in clumps on underwater plants or other structures. Often, more than one male will be with the female during this time. The eggs hatch after about eight or nine days.
It's important to know that these eggs are poisonous. They are harmful to birds, mammals, and even humans.
Young gar stay attached to their yolk sac for another week. After that, they start to feed. They eat tiny insect larvae and small crustaceans. Young gar usually live alone. They become ready to reproduce around three years old. By then, they are about 38 cm (15 in) long.
What Do Shortnose Gar Eat?
Shortnose gar are very good at ambushing their prey. They are fierce hunters. They mainly eat fish. But they are also very flexible in what they eat. They will also eat crayfish, insects, and other small invertebrates.
Even though they mostly eat whatever fish are available, shortnose gar eat more invertebrates than other gar species. They have even been seen protecting good hunting spots. This happens when there are many periodical cicadas around for them to eat.
Where Are Shortnose Gar Found?
Today, shortnose gar are only found in North America. They live mostly in the central United States. Their range covers much of the Mississippi River and Missouri River basins. This stretches from Montana in the west to the Ohio River in the east. In the south, they are found along the Gulf Coast. This includes parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas.
Why Are Shortnose Gar Important to Humans?
Shortnose gar help keep the natural balance in their ecosystems. They eat smaller fish like minnows. These minnows can sometimes harm populations of other important fish.
Gar are also popular fish for aquariums. You can often see them in public aquariums across the country.
How Are Shortnose Gar Protected?
Shortnose gar have very few natural enemies. Their thick, armored scales protect them well. Because of this, shortnose gar are generally found in large numbers.
However, there are some exceptions. In Montana, they are a fish of special concern. This is because they live in a small area and their populations are limited there. In Ohio, they are considered an endangered species. This is due to their limited range, mainly in the Ohio River and its lower branches.
Meaning of the Name
The scientific name Lepisosteus comes from Greek words. Lepisosteus means "bony scale." The word platostomus means "broad mouth."
