shortnose gar

fish

Also known as: Lepisosteus platostomus, short-nosed gar

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

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The shortnose gar is a type of gar, which are large North American fish belonging to the family Lepisosteidae. These fish are known for their long, dart-shaped bodies and are typically found in slow-moving freshwater environments, though some species can tolerate brackish or saltwater. Gars have the unique ability to breathe air using a specialized gas bladder, which helps them survive in low-oxygen waters. They possess jaws that form a sharp-toothed beak and are covered in armor-like, diamond-shaped scales. The shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) is native to the Mississippi River basin and grows up to about 0.6 meters (2 feet) in length.12

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gar
The shortnose gar (L. platostomus), which is native to much of the Mississippi River basin, is smaller, growing up to 0.6 metre (2 feet) in length.
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The shortnose gar (L. platostomus), which is native to much of the Mississippi River basin, is smaller, growing up to 0.6 metre (2 feet) in length.
Read More