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Gar
Alligator gar are primitive fish protected from predation and environment by hard, diamond-shaped ganoin scales. These scales feature an external layer composed of hard, shiny enamel. Evidence suggests that Native American Indians used scales for broadheads. Today gar scares are used to make jewelry.
As a young man, I spent a half-decade paddling the backwaters and oxbows of southeast Texas' Neches River. In search of the glamorous largemouth bass, I encountered some other interesting and odd species of fish. One of this lot was the Atractosteus spatula, commonly known as the alligator gar. I routinely saw these armor plated torpedoes hovering merely inches below the surface of a stagnant pool, as if to dare an unsuspecting turtle or other prey to foolishly cross its path. Over time, my perception of these bayou brutes shifted from disregard, to one of interest and intrigue.
How does such a large, predatory fish live in very stagnant, oxygen deprived waters? These fish have survived since prehistoric times and can handle whatever life throws at them. Unfortunately, in recent years, this species' populations are being threatened throughout their range. While all of the factors are not entirely known, habitat loss is one huge problem facing these animals. In addition, lack of fishing regulations coupled with the larger specimen's growing reputation as a trophy fish, may be contributing factors. Studies are currently underway to understand more about this species, and to determine what must be done to reverse or stop the current trend of decline.
The alligator gar is one of four species of gar inhabiting the southeastern United States. The other three being the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), and the shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus). The alligator gar is by far the largest of the three species, reaching monumental lengths of up to 10 feet and a whopping 300 pounds. The alligator gar is easily identified from the other three species by its distinctive two rows of needle sharp teeth in the upper jaw. These fish can endure fresh, brackish, and saltwater. Amazingly, they also have the ability to breathe air from the atmosphere. This feat is accomplished by a unique air bladder that is coupled directly to the throat. When alligator gar are seen "rolling" on a body of water, they are actually gulping air into their throats. Because of small, insignificant gills, they inhale 70% of their oxygen from above the water's surface when the temperature rises above 70 degrees F. In fact, they are even known to survive up to two hours above water. These creatures dine primarily on fish, but they also partake of crustaceans and even waterfowl.
Though we know little about alligator gar, we do know that loss of habitat is an incessant problem that damages most fisheries to some degree. The alligator gar, in particular, counts on certain backwaters as fertile grounds to spawn and lay eggs in the spring of the year. The eggs, which are highly toxic for human consumption, adhere to freshly flooded vegetation and clutter. After hatching, the young will use these grounds to provide them with food as well as protection. Unfortunately, channeling, diversion, and damming has altered historical river flow. The ever-present demand for water in large cities due to sprawling developments and swollen populations is advancing the loss of historical bottomlands. As a result, many of these spawning areas that are vital to the alligator gar's existence are now nonexistent.
Alligator gar are long-lived fish. In areas where the environment is good, alligator gar can have a 50-year life span. In stressed regions, such as habitat areas with high degree of degradation or high fishing pressure, the age decreases greatly to just 28 years. It has also been shown that there is a direct correlation between growth rates quality of habitat. Considering this species reaches sexual maturity at around five feet in length, and it takes twelve years to reach this size, there is a certain uphill battle for the species. Additionally, many of the largest specimens are targeted by trophy hunters when they may be the only mature adults in a particular region.
Fortunately, this fact of slow growing and long-lived animals has not gone unnoticed by a large contingency of fishermen that pushed for limits on these fish through an online petition. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission responded proactively this year, administering regulations effective September 1, 2009. These regulations limit sport and commercial harvest of alligator gar to one fish per day.
Whether you consider the alligator gar to be a trophy, trash fish, or a delicacy, there's a reason they have served as a crucial part of our marine ecosystems for thousands of years. They are an evolved apex species that have very few natural predators, except for humans. As with any species, the total loss of the population would be misfortunate, as they deserve to stalk our waterways for thousands of years to come.
How does such a large, predatory fish live in very stagnant, oxygen deprived waters? These fish have survived since prehistoric times and can handle whatever life throws at them. Unfortunately, in recent years, this species' populations are being threatened throughout their range. While all of the factors are not entirely known, habitat loss is one huge problem facing these animals. In addition, lack of fishing regulations coupled with the larger specimen's growing reputation as a trophy fish, may be contributing factors. Studies are currently underway to understand more about this species, and to determine what must be done to reverse or stop the current trend of decline.
The alligator gar is one of four species of gar inhabiting the southeastern United States. The other three being the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), and the shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus). The alligator gar is by far the largest of the three species, reaching monumental lengths of up to 10 feet and a whopping 300 pounds. The alligator gar is easily identified from the other three species by its distinctive two rows of needle sharp teeth in the upper jaw. These fish can endure fresh, brackish, and saltwater. Amazingly, they also have the ability to breathe air from the atmosphere. This feat is accomplished by a unique air bladder that is coupled directly to the throat. When alligator gar are seen "rolling" on a body of water, they are actually gulping air into their throats. Because of small, insignificant gills, they inhale 70% of their oxygen from above the water's surface when the temperature rises above 70 degrees F. In fact, they are even known to survive up to two hours above water. These creatures dine primarily on fish, but they also partake of crustaceans and even waterfowl.
Though we know little about alligator gar, we do know that loss of habitat is an incessant problem that damages most fisheries to some degree. The alligator gar, in particular, counts on certain backwaters as fertile grounds to spawn and lay eggs in the spring of the year. The eggs, which are highly toxic for human consumption, adhere to freshly flooded vegetation and clutter. After hatching, the young will use these grounds to provide them with food as well as protection. Unfortunately, channeling, diversion, and damming has altered historical river flow. The ever-present demand for water in large cities due to sprawling developments and swollen populations is advancing the loss of historical bottomlands. As a result, many of these spawning areas that are vital to the alligator gar's existence are now nonexistent.
Alligator gar are long-lived fish. In areas where the environment is good, alligator gar can have a 50-year life span. In stressed regions, such as habitat areas with high degree of degradation or high fishing pressure, the age decreases greatly to just 28 years. It has also been shown that there is a direct correlation between growth rates quality of habitat. Considering this species reaches sexual maturity at around five feet in length, and it takes twelve years to reach this size, there is a certain uphill battle for the species. Additionally, many of the largest specimens are targeted by trophy hunters when they may be the only mature adults in a particular region.
Fortunately, this fact of slow growing and long-lived animals has not gone unnoticed by a large contingency of fishermen that pushed for limits on these fish through an online petition. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission responded proactively this year, administering regulations effective September 1, 2009. These regulations limit sport and commercial harvest of alligator gar to one fish per day.
Whether you consider the alligator gar to be a trophy, trash fish, or a delicacy, there's a reason they have served as a crucial part of our marine ecosystems for thousands of years. They are an evolved apex species that have very few natural predators, except for humans. As with any species, the total loss of the population would be misfortunate, as they deserve to stalk our waterways for thousands of years to come.