Florida Gar
Lepisosteus platyrhincus
Least Concern
A prehistoric fish that has remained virtually unchanged for 100 million years. Armored with ganoid scales and capable of breathing air.
Behavior
Often seen floating motionless at the surface, occasionally gulping air. An ambush predator.
⚠️ Safety
Teeth are needle-sharp. Do not lip-grab a gar. Use long-nose pliers for hook removal.
Fun Facts
- Can breathe air through a modified swim bladder
- Scales are so hard they were used as arrowheads by Native Americans
- Eggs are toxic to mammals
- One of the oldest fish families still in existence
Where to See
Lake Okeechobee
lakeFlorida's inland sea — the largest freshwater lake in the southeastern US. World-class largemouth ba...
St. Johns River
riverOne of the few north-flowing rivers in North America. 310 miles of diverse ecosystems from marshes t...
Everglades National Park
coastal1.5 million acres of wetlands — the River of Grass. Home to alligators, manatees, crocodiles, panthe...
Identify This Species
Use our Species Identifier to learn how to distinguish the Florida Gar from similar species.
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