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Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
At-a-Glance
• Family: Lepisosteidae (Gars)
• Other Names: Needlenose gar
• Ohio Status: Sport fish
• Adult Size: Typically 24-36 inches long, can reach over 50 inches. Usually weighs 2-7 pounds, can reach 25 pounds.
• Typical Foods: Feed on small fish, primarily minnows or gizzard shad. |
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Description
The longnose gar has a very long and narrow beak containing many needle like teeth. Their body is long and cylindrical, covered with diamond-shaped, hard non-overlapping scales. They are olive or brownish colored on their back with a white belly. When they are caught from clear waters they often have numerous dark spots on their sides, fins, and tail.
Habitat and Habits
Longnose gar are the most common species of gar found in Ohio. They can be found in both the Lake Erie and Ohio River drainages. They are found in medium to large rivers and prefer areas of little or no flow with clear water. They are also found in the harbors, bays, and other backwaters of Lake Erie. All species of gar have a specialized air bladder that gives them the ability to breathe air. They can often be seen poking their beak out of the waters surface briefly as they take in a gulp of air. Even though they can breathe air they are not obligated to do so, they also have fully functional gills like other fish.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Spawning takes place in the late May or early June in shallow waters. Eggs are sticky and adhere to substrate in the water. One female produces about 30,000 eggs in a year. The longnose gar migrates into smaller streams to spawn. The larger females are often chased by two or more smaller males during courtship. |
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