Family: Lepisosteidae Matt Wells

Gar• known as living fossils

Identification• ganoid scales (diamond

shaped scales)• long, beak-like snout

with sharp teeth• dorsal fin far back on

body

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site//resources/Grzimek_fish/Semionotiformes/Lepisosteus_osseus.jpg/view.html

Lepisosteus platostomus:shortnose gar

Distinguishable traits• short, broad snout (relative to other gars)• upper jaw only contains one row of teeth• olive brown coloration on dorsal and lateral sides• white on ventral side• spots found only on dorsal fin and caudal area • paired fins usually lack spots (spots only found on gar in clear water• 60 to 64 scales on the lateral line• brown stripes along back and side on juvenile fish

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepisosteus_platostomus.html

Lepisosteus platostomus:shortnose garHabitat

• lakes, swamps, and the calm pools and backwaters of creeks and rivers• commonly found near vegetation and submerged logs • can be found motionless basking for sun• show a preference for warm water (80-95° F) • swim bladder connected to the esophagus (serves as an auxiliary breathing organ)Distribution• Mississippi River (rare in the lower reaches of the larger tributaries)• occasionally in oxbows and tributaries of Missouri River• natural lakes (mostly the lakes in Dickinson county)

http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/shortgar.html

Lepisosteus platostomus:shortnose gar

DietAdult• stalking or ambush piscivorous• insect larvae and crayfish are also eaten • opportunist or scavengers• feed at night

Juvenile• micro-invertebrates• mosquito larvae ReproductionSpawn• May and June when water is around 70°F• deposited in small masses in shallow water • bright green (poisonous) eggs attach to

vegetation• 9 pound female can produce about 34,000 eggs

Hatch• takes 8 to 9 days• in 16 days after hatching young start to eat

http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/shortnose_gar.html

Lepisosteus platostomus:shortnose garGrowth

• first year growth is very rapid (up to lengths up to 16 inches) • fish mature at 3 years of age (length of 18 to 19 inches) • state record 4 pounds, 10 ounces/ 28.5” long

Conservation status• population density seems to fluctuate in both lakes and streams in

Iowa• nuisance to fisherman, especially in lakes• little or no commercial food-fish value

http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/shortnose_gar.html

Lepisosteus platostomus:shortnose gar

Other

• other names - gar, gar-pike, billygar, billfish, duck-billed gar

• tough fish!! tough bony structurecylindrical body air fixing abilty

• use floating lures with large hooks • recipes

Poor man’s salmonTake the Gar, skin 'em. Rub them in salt peter. Stuff with mayonnaise and cumin, bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Blend the sherbet, mustard and dill in a bowl. Remove fish from oven and stuff filets with this mix. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

References: Lepisosteus platostomus

Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp. Accessed on Sept. 15, 2004, http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/shortgar.html

Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2001. Biodiversity of Iowa: Aquatic Habitats. Accessed on Sept. 15, 2004, http://www.iowadnr.com/education/files/sngar.pdf

Bradburn, Mark. 2003. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Accessed of Sept. 15, 2004, http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepisosteus_platostomus.html

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus)Identification: Long narrow snout more than twice as long as rest of head; olive brown above and on side and white below dark spots on medial fin.

Distribution: Mississippi River; occasionally in oxbows and tributaries of Missouri River; Natural lakes

Habitat: Sluggish pools, back waters and oxbows of medium to large rivers; Natural lakes.

Picture from Ohio DNR

By Chris Nickell

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Diet: Adults feed on fish. Young feed on copepods and water fleas for first few weeks.

Picture from Minnesota DNRReproduction: 4000 to 60000 eggs released in weed bed usually over gravel bottom

Conservation Status: Not Listed

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Economic/ recreational value: unimportant to anglers

Ecological importance: Important as a predator

Picture from University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Other: Are solely carnivorous, ambush predators, swim bladder connected to esophagus allows them to live in areas where dissolved oxygen is low or absent

References: Lepisosteus osseusIowa department of natural resources. 1994. Iowa DNR Fish and fishing.available at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/garfamil.html September 2004

Mayhew, J. 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Fishes of Minnesota. Available at: http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/longnose_gar.html, September 2004.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Division. Fishing. Available at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/aquanotes-fishid/gar.htm September 2004.

Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

University of Michigan Museum of Zoology . Lepisosteus osseus. Available athttp://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lepisosteus_osseus.html September 2004