Family: Lepisosteidae Matt Wells Gar known as living fossils Identification ganoid scales (diamond shaped scales) long, beak-like snout with sharp teeth dorsal fin far back on body

Lepisosteus platostomus: shortnose gar Distinguishable traits short, broad snout (relative to other gars) upper jaw only contains one row of teeth olive brown coloration on dorsal and lateral sides white on ventral side spots found only on dorsal fin and caudal area paired fins usually lack spots (spots only found on gar in clear water 60 to 64 scales on the lateral line brown stripes along back and side on juvenile fish

Lepisosteus platostomus: shortnose gar Habitat lakes, swamps, and the calm pools and backwaters of creeks and rivers commonly found near vegetation and submerged logs can be found motionless basking for sun show a preference for warm water (80-95° F) swim bladder connected to the esophagus (serves as an auxiliary breathing organ) Distribution Mississippi River (rare in the lower reaches of the larger tributaries) occasionally in oxbows and tributaries of Missouri River natural lakes (mostly the lakes in Dickinson county)

Lepisosteus platostomus: shortnose gar Diet Adult stalking or ambush piscivorous insect larvae and crayfish are also eaten opportunist or scavengers feed at night Juvenile micro-invertebrates mosquito larvae Reproduction Spawn May and June when water is around 70°F deposited in small masses in shallow water bright green (poisonous) eggs attach to vegetation 9 pound female can produce about 34,000 eggs Hatch takes 8 to 9 days in 16 days after hatching young start to eat

Lepisosteus platostomus: shortnose gar Growth first year growth is very rapid (up to lengths up to 16 inches) fish mature at 3 years of age (length of 18 to 19 inches) state record 4 pounds, 10 ounces/ 28.5” long Conservation status population density seems to fluctuate in both lakes and streams in Iowa nuisance to fisherman, especially in lakes little or no commercial food-fish value

Lepisosteus platostomus: shortnose gar Other other names - gar, gar-pike, billygar, billfish, duck-billed gar tough fish!! tough bony structure cylindrical body air fixing abilty use floating lures with large hooks recipes Poor man’s salmon Take the Gar, skin 'em. Rub them in salt peter. Stuff with mayonnaise and cumin, bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Blend the sherbet, mustard and dill in a bowl. Remove fish from oven and stuff filets with this mix. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

References: Lepisosteus platostomus Mayhew, J. (editor) Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp. Accessed on Sept. 15, 2004, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Biodiversity of Iowa: Aquatic Habitats. Accessed on Sept. 15, 2004, Bradburn, Mark Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Accessed of Sept. 15, 2004, ml ml

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) Identification: Long narrow snout more than twice as long as rest of head; olive brown above and on side and white below dark spots on medial fin. Distribution: Mississippi River; occasionally in oxbows and tributaries of Missouri River; Natural lakes Habitat: Sluggish pools, back waters and oxbows of medium to large rivers; Natural lakes. Picture from Ohio DNR By Chris Nickell

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) Diet: Adults feed on fish. Young feed on copepods and water fleas for first few weeks. Picture from Minnesota DNR Reproduction: 4000 to eggs released in weed bed usually over gravel bottom Conservation Status: Not Listed

Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) Economic/ recreational value: unimportant to anglers Ecological importance: Important as a predator Picture from University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Other: Are solely carnivorous, ambush predators, swim bladder connected to esophagus allows them to live in areas where dissolved oxygen is low or absent

References: Lepisosteus osseus Iowa department of natural resources Iowa DNR Fish and fishing. available at September 2004http:// Mayhew, J Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Fishes of Minnesota. Available at: September Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Division. Fishing. Available at fishid/gar.htm September fishid/gar.htm Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Lepisosteus osseus. Available at sseus.html September sseus.html