What is Allegator Gar?

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About Allegator Gar:

It is a ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the largest of all freshwater fishes.
Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula
It is the largest species in the Gar family.
The fossil record traces its group’s existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago.
Gars are often referred to as “primitive fishes”, or “living fossils” because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their early ancestors.
Distribution: Central and North America
Features:
- It is distinguished by its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth.
- It can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds.
- Adults have two rows of large teeth on either side of the upper jaw.
- Colouration is generally brown or olive above and lighter underneath.
- They can live for many decades.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Least Concerned

What are euryhaline organisms?

They are a type of mostly marine organisms with the ability to adapt to a wide range of water salinities.
They can survive either in freshwater, saltwater or brackish water.
Some euryhaline organisms migrate between freshwater and saltwater habitats during their life cycle. Some examples of such organisms are salmon, eels, etc.

Q1) What are euryhaline organisms?

They are a type of mostly marine organisms with the ability to adapt to a wide range of water salinities. They can survive either in freshwater, saltwater or brackish water.

Source: Discovery of predator alligator fish in Srinagar’s Dal Lake triggers surprise