Platinum Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)
The Platinum Alligator Gar is a freshwater fish that is only suitable for big aquariums with powerful filtration system as they produce a lot of waste. However, it is a modest and very adaptable fish for various water parameters.
The Platinum Alligator Gar is a prehistoric-looking fish and is regularly referred to as "primitive fishes," or "living fossils" because it has maintained characteristics of their earliest ancestors, such as the ability to breathe water and air. There should be left with a few inches of space at the top of the tank to allow them to breathe atmospheric air.
Platinum Alligator Gars are not territorial or aggressive in the aquarium if they grow together with other fish species, then gars do not consider other fish as food.
These Gars live in closely-knit schools consisting of groups of 3 to 6 individuals.
Its platinum variety was bred in Asia for aquarium keepers. It is unfortunately rare and expensive fish, it is very demanded in Japan and China, resulting in the subsequent price increase.
Platinum Alligator Gars have long, slender, torpedo-shaped bodies and small eyes. They have a heterocercal tail, and their swim bladder can function as a lung. They also have a broad, short snout and they do not have scales like other fish; instead, they have hardened, white enamel-like, jagged diamond-shaped ganoid scales.
The crown of the head and the gill covers are woven patterned, their body is creamy-white with green tinges on the top, and their tails can have black blotches on them. Mature Alligator Gars have a dual row of large sharp teeth in the upper jaw used for impaling and holding its prey.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atractosteus spatula |
| Other Names | None |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Lepisosteiformes |
| Family | Lepisosteidae |
| Genus | Atractosteus |
| Origins | USA |
| 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 |
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 3 - 5 |
| TDS | 90 - 450 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 59 - 89℉ 15 - 31.7℃ | |
Feeding
Because the Platinum Alligator Gar is a carnivore; it would be best if you aimed to feed your fish on a diet primarily of meaty foodstuffs such as live and/or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, lobster eggs, cyclops, Mysis shrimp and bloodworm. Bloodworm should be used sparingly as it is hard for your fish to digest.
You can also cut up earthworms from your garden or chop up shop brought mussels, prawns, krill and fresh fish (be sure only to use fresh or frozen fish and not fish canned in oil).
You can also try your fish with dried foods formulated for predatory fish and made up of insect material such as Fluval bug bites, which can also be used to supplement the diet.
Get to know your fish and test which foods they prefere and which they ignore but always be sure not to overfeed your fish and remove excessive uneaten food whenever possible.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is practically impossible to visually differentiate males from female Gars, although recent studies suggest that determining the head length, snout length, and anal fin base length is helpful. It is also said that females grow larger than males and males will reach sexual maturity in half the time that females do.