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Aquatics Gallery > Americas Zone
SPECIE NAME:Atractosteus spatula
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Alligator Gar
LOCATION: Native to North America. It occurs in the Mississippi River basin from southwestern Ohio and southern Illinois southward to the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Gulf Coastal Plain from Florida to Veracruz, Mexico.
HABITAT: Large, slow-moving rivers, backwaters, sluggish pools, swamps, bayous and lakes. It can also enter brackish and occasionally marine coastal waters.
SIZE: Common length is around 200 cm. Maximum recorded length is about 260 cm, with a maximum published weight of approximately 137 kg. A maximum reported age of 95 years has also been recorded.
DIET: Carnivorous ambush predator. Adults mainly eat fish but may also consume blue crabs, turtles, waterfowl, other birds and small mammals.
FACT: Alligator Gar is the largest living gar species. It has a highly elongated body, a long snout and strong teeth. It is also a facultative air-breather, meaning it can gulp atmospheric air when necessary in addition to using its gills.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Alligator Gar
LOCATION: Native to North America. It occurs in the Mississippi River basin from southwestern Ohio and southern Illinois southward to the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Gulf Coastal Plain from Florida to Veracruz, Mexico.
HABITAT: Large, slow-moving rivers, backwaters, sluggish pools, swamps, bayous and lakes. It can also enter brackish and occasionally marine coastal waters.
SIZE: Common length is around 200 cm. Maximum recorded length is about 260 cm, with a maximum published weight of approximately 137 kg. A maximum reported age of 95 years has also been recorded.
DIET: Carnivorous ambush predator. Adults mainly eat fish but may also consume blue crabs, turtles, waterfowl, other birds and small mammals.
FACT: Alligator Gar is the largest living gar species. It has a highly elongated body, a long snout and strong teeth. It is also a facultative air-breather, meaning it can gulp atmospheric air when necessary in addition to using its gills.
SPECIE NAME:Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Redtail Catfish / Pirarara
LOCATION: Native to South America, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
HABITAT: Tropical freshwater environments, particularly large rivers and bottom-associated aquatic habitats within the Amazon and Orinoco river systems.
SIZE: Common length is approximately 60 cm. Maximum recorded length is about 135 cm (1.35 m), with a maximum published weight of approximately 44.2 kg.
DIET: An opportunistic feeder. Adults consume fish and crabs and also eat fruits.
FACT: The species gets its common name from its distinctive bright red tail. It is a large South American catfish with prominent barbels or “whiskers,” which help it detect food and its surroundings.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Redtail Catfish / Pirarara
LOCATION: Native to South America, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.
HABITAT: Tropical freshwater environments, particularly large rivers and bottom-associated aquatic habitats within the Amazon and Orinoco river systems.
SIZE: Common length is approximately 60 cm. Maximum recorded length is about 135 cm (1.35 m), with a maximum published weight of approximately 44.2 kg.
DIET: An opportunistic feeder. Adults consume fish and crabs and also eat fruits.
FACT: The species gets its common name from its distinctive bright red tail. It is a large South American catfish with prominent barbels or “whiskers,” which help it detect food and its surroundings.