Florida Gar

Lepisosteus platyrhincus is restricted to the peninsula of Florida and a small area of southern Georgia, inhabiting slow, vegetated rivers and lakes. Its unique spotted head distinguishes it from the Spotted Gar and it tolerates slightly warmer temperatures. Like all gars, it uses a modified swim bladder as a lung and must reach the surface to breathe.

Water: 20-28°C, pH 6.5-7.5, soft to moderately hard; warmer than other gar species. Tank: Minimum 600L, very long, surface access essential, minimal décor, strong external filtration. Feeding: Carnivore; live and dead fish, prawns, earthworms; can be trained to large pellets over time. Behaviour: Ambush predator; deceptively slow until it strikes. Compatibility: Very large robust fish only; large catfish, large cichlids, large polypterids.