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Platinum Alligator Gar - Atractosteus spatula : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
The Platinum Alligator Gar is a unique freshwater fish species, suitable only for large aquariums equipped with powerful filtration systems to accommodate their waste production. Despite their need for ample tank space, these fish are highly adaptable to various water parameters, making them an ideal addition to an aquarium. Platinum Alligator Gars have gained a reputation as "living fossils" due to their prehistoric appearance, retaining many of the characteristics of their earliest ancestors, such as the ability to breathe both water and atmospheric air. Leaving a few inches of space at the top of the tank is essential to facilitate this unique breathing behaviour. These fish are not territorial or aggressive in an aquarium setting, and when grown with other fish species, they do not perceive them as food. Instead, platinum Alligator Gars are social creatures and prefer to live in closely-knit schools of 3 to 6 individuals, displaying an intriguing social dynamic. The Platinum variety of Alligator Gar was selectively bred in Asia for aquarium enthusiasts. Despite its rarity and high cost, the fish remains in high demand in Japan and China, driving up the price. Platinum Alligator Gars possess long, slender, torpedo-shaped bodies, small eyes, and a heterocercal tail. Their swim bladder functions as a lung, enabling them to breathe air. Instead, they lack conventional scales and have hardened, diamond-shaped ganoid scales with white enamel-like jagged edges. These fish feature a creamy-white body with green tinges on the top, a woven patterned crown of the head, and gill covers with tails that may bear black blotches. In addition, mature Alligator Gars exhibit a dual row of large, sharp teeth in their upper jaws, an adaptation used to impale and hold prey during feeding. Overall, the Platinum Alligator Gar is a captivating and intriguing species that continues to fascinate aquarium enthusiasts worldwide.Platinum Alligator Gar Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Distinguishing between male and female Gars based on visual inspection alone presents a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, recent studies have proposed that measuring specific anatomical features such as head length, snout length, and anal fin base length may facilitate sex determination. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that females of this species generally exhibit a greater growth rate than males and attain a more significant size overall. Additionally, males are reported to reach sexual maturity within half the time frame of their female counterparts.Quick Facts
Scientific Name | Atractosteus spatula |
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Year Described | 1803 |
Other Names | None |
Classification | Actinopterygii |
Order | Lepisosteiformes |
Family | Lepisosteidae |
Genus | Atractosteus |
Origins | USA |
Max Size | 10 feet cm |
Temperament | Aggressive |
Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
Shoaling | Yes |
Best kept as | Trios |
Diet | Carnivore |
Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
Lifespan | up to 50 years |
Water Parameters
Water Type | Freshwater |
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PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
GH | 3 - 5 |
KH | |
TDS | 90 - 450 |
℉ | 59 - 89 |
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℃ | 15 - 31.7 |