gars
(Family Lepisosteidae)
Origin
The Lepisosteidae family is native to North America and neotropical regions.
Life Cycle
Gars are large predatory freshwater fish with long, cylindrical bodies covered in hard, shiny, diamond-shaped scales with fins near the tail. They have slender snouts with needle-like teeth to hunt primarily fish. Gars are generally green to brown in color on their top and sides and white to yellow on their bellies; some species have spots on their bodies and/or fins. Females will lay thousands of eggs to be fertilized by many male gars and no parental care.
Distribution
Gars are not currently found in California. Alligator gars have been collected in California waters on a few occasions, but these fish were likely the result of aquarium releases. Five of the seven gar species are native to the United States (Shortnose, Florida, Alligator, Longnose, and Spotted).
Control Efforts
Gar are not established in California. If you capture one please immediately kill it and report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession all species in the family Lepisosteidae per C.C.R. Title 14, § 671.
The Lepisosteidae family is native to North America and neotropical regions.
Life Cycle
Gars are large predatory freshwater fish with long, cylindrical bodies covered in hard, shiny, diamond-shaped scales with fins near the tail. They have slender snouts with needle-like teeth to hunt primarily fish. Gars are generally green to brown in color on their top and sides and white to yellow on their bellies; some species have spots on their bodies and/or fins. Females will lay thousands of eggs to be fertilized by many male gars and no parental care.
Distribution
Gars are not currently found in California. Alligator gars have been collected in California waters on a few occasions, but these fish were likely the result of aquarium releases. Five of the seven gar species are native to the United States (Shortnose, Florida, Alligator, Longnose, and Spotted).
Control Efforts
Gar are not established in California. If you capture one please immediately kill it and report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession all species in the family Lepisosteidae per C.C.R. Title 14, § 671.
Maps
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Subphylum: Vertebrata |
| Class: Actinopterygii |
| Subclass: Neopterygii |
| Order: Semionotiformes |
| Lepisosteidae |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.