Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Fish in the family Lepisosteidae. Hard care. Freshwater.

Quick facts

Scientific nameAtractosteus spatula

FamilyLepisosteidae

Also known asGator Gar, Gar

Care levelHard

Reef safetyFreshwater

TemperamentAggressive

Dietcarnivore

Adult size72 in

Minimum tank size1000 gallons

Water parametersTemp 68-82°F, pH 6.5-8.0, GH 5-20 dGH

Appearance

Massive prehistoric air-breathing predator with an armored body, long toothy snout, and ganoid scales.

Difficulty and care for the Alligator Gar

Hard

Origin and habitat

North America

Keeper notes

WARNING: reaches six feet or more and is wholly unsuitable for home aquaria; sold as juveniles but needs pond/public-aquarium scale housing. A large piscivore that eats any tankmate it can catch. Often illegal to keep without a permit.

Log Alligator Gar in your reef tank

Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Alligator Gar alongside everything else in your reef.

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