Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus)

Scientific name: Atractosteus tristoechus Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus)

The Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) is a freshwater fish of the family Lepisosteidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 18–23°C (64–73°F). Native range: Central America, Western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.

Cuban gar care at a glance

Temperature
18–23°C (64–73°F)

Biology

Found in rivers and lakes. Adults feed on other freshwater fishes and even birds. Young are preyed on by introduced Micropterus salmoides. The flesh is edible; but the eggs are poisonous to eat.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Atractosteus tristoechus
Family
Lepisosteidae (Gars)
Order
Lepisosteiformes (Gars)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
200
Common length
100.0
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Central America: Western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Other
Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquaculture: experimental
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

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

Last updated