Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Location map
A Longnose Gar, a long, thin, grey and black fish with a pointed nose, swimming in the dark upper part of its tank.

Longnose Gar

Common Name:
Longnose Gar
Scientific Name:
Lepisosteus osseus
Habitats:
  • Aquatic (freshwater)
Length:
3 ft
Life Span:
9 yrs
Number of Young:
30,000 eggs
Weight:
3.5 lb
About:

Did you know longnose gar eggs are poisonous to humans? Learn more about longnose gar. 

Care & Wellness:

The gamefish habitat presents both predators, like the gar, and prey species possibly found in a large stream or lake habitat. Frequent water changes and tank cleanings maintain water quality.

Behavior:
  • Loners that do not school in groups
  • Females lay eggs and leave.
  • Have very sharp teeth for catching prey
Endangered Status
  • Extinct in Wild (EW)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Not Evaluated (NE)
Fun Facts:
  • Longnose gar eggs are poisonous to humans.
  • World record weight is 48 pounds.
  • A prehistoric fish with remains found that date to 50,000 years ago.
The silver, needle-like face of a Longnose Gar as it swims through the dark water with its long, thin body and short, rounded fins..

Related Resources

A fuzzy brown otter with small, rounded ears, lanky body, and long tail, perches on a small rocky ledge next to a pond.
Streamside Habitat

At this habitat, you’ll discover a diversity of animals of along a Carolina stream. Streams are part of “nature’s waterworks,” an enormous circulating system that cleanses and distributes water across the land.