Lepisosteus oculatus
Winchell 1864
Family Lepisosteidae

Lateral view of two spotted gars
The two spotted gars pictured above were both collected in Florida, and are now specimens in the Florida Museum ichthyology collection. Top: UF 238441 Bottom: UF 187802 Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The spotted gar has a moderately long snout and bony plates on underside of its throat. It can be found in swamps, bayous, lakes and in the sluggish pools and backwaters of large rivers. It is rarely found in brackish or salt water, and is a member of the gar family.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
  • River Drainages — Escambia River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River and Econfina Creek
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