Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus

The Spotted Gar is native to slow-moving waters of eastern USA, mainly the Mississippi basin and southeast. It can reach 60-90cm (2-3 feet) long, the smallest of America's 7 living species of gar.

The juvenile, like many other gars, is covered in spots but loses some body spots as it ages. Like other gars, its scales are hard and bony and these primitive fish are able to gulp air as well as breathe through gills under water. It has sharp teeth and preys on other fish and crustaceans.