Lepisosteus platostomus Rafinesque, 1820
Shortnose gar
Shortnose gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
photo by Lyons, J.

Family:  Lepisosteidae (Gars)
Max. size:  88 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,600.0 g; max. reported age: 20 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: USA in Mississippi River basin from south central Ohio, north Indiana, and Wisconsin to Montana and south to north Alabama and Louisiana; Lake Michigan drainage, Wisconsin ; Calcasieu and Mermentau rivers on Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabit quiet pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers, swamps, lakes and overflow areas of large streams. Often occur near vegetation and submerged logs. Feed on other fishes and insects. Spawning occurs over vegetation or other submerged objects (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Recorded from the Mississippi River basin and western tributaries to Lake Michigan (Ref. 10294). Also Ref. 276.


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