Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Fish
The shortnose gar is a primitive freshwater fish of the family Lepisosteidae. It is native to the United States where its range includes the Mississippi and Missouri River basins, ranging from Montana to the west and the Ohio River to the east, southwards to the Gulf Coast. It inhabits calm waters in large rivers and their backwaters, as well as oxbow lakes and large pools. It is a long, slender fish, brown or olive green above and whitish below. It typically grows to about 60 cm (24 in) and is armored by rows of interlocking, rhomboidal ganoid scales.
Classification
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Lepisosteiformes
- Family
- Lepisosteidae
- Genus
- Lepisosteus