Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Scientific name: Atractosteus spatula Lacep?de, 1803

The Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a freshwater fish of the family Lepisosteidae.

Biology

Large size and broad, short snout. Light dorsal stripe. Dark olivaceous brown above and white to yellowish beneath. Dark brown blotches on all fins.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Scientific name: Atractosteus spatula
Family: Lepisosteidae (Gars)
Order: Lepisosteiformes (Gars)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 305
Common length: 200
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - ? m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: North America: ranges from Mississippi River basin from southwestern Ohio and southern Illinois in USA south to Gulf of Mexico; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain from Enconfina River in Florida, USA to Veracruz, Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026