Tropical gar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tropical gar |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Atractosteus
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| Species: |
tropicus
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| Pacific coastal range in yellow (main range inland in river basins, as well as Caribbean coastal range, not shown) | |
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The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) is a special type of fish. It lives in Central America. You can find it in rivers and coastal areas from southern Mexico down to Costa Rica. In Mexico, people call it pejelagarto. This fun name combines "pez" (fish) and "lagarto" (alligator).
This gar fish lives in many different water places. It likes fresh water, like rivers, lakes, and pools. It also lives in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salty water. However, it stays away from places where the water flows very fast.
Contents
About the Tropical Gar
The tropical gar can grow quite long. It can reach up to 1.25 meters (about 4 feet) in length. However, most of them are usually less than half that size. These fish can weigh up to 2.9 kilograms (about 6.4 pounds).
How to Spot a Tropical Gar
The tropical gar looks a lot like another fish called the longnose gar. They have similar colors and patterns on their bodies. But there is a key difference! The tropical gar has a shorter and wider snout (its nose area). This helps you tell them apart easily.
What Tropical Gar Eat
Tropical gars are hunters. Their main food is other fish. They especially like to eat cichlids, which are a common type of fish found in their habitats.
Tropical Gar in Culture
Even though gar fish are not eaten very often, they are part of a special dish in Tabasco, Mexico. This traditional meal is also called pejelagarto. It is cooked with chili, limes, and salt, giving it a unique flavor.
See also
In Spanish: Gaspar para niños
