Gar Busey

The closest extinct relatives of gar are the obaichthyidae, an extinct group of gar-like fishes from the early cretaceous of africa and south america, which likely diverged from the ancestors of true gars. Gar, any of seven species of large north american fishes in the genera atractosteus and lepisosteus, in the family lepisosteidae. Oct 1, 2021there are only seven gar species alive today, but there were more earlier in the fossil record.

The name “gar” derives from an old english word meaning “spear,” a fitting descriptor for their elongated, cylindrical bodies and beak‑like snouts. Longnose gar are often unfairly blamed for eating other more “desirable” sport fish species, but this isn’t true. Despite their menacing looking long snout and razor-sharp teeth, gar can’t actually open their.

May 8, 2025explore 7 types of gar fish! Learn to id alligator gar (the giant!) vs. Longnose, spotted, & florida gar.

May 27, 2024the gar may have a rather fearsome appearance with its scaly skin and sharp teeth, but it actually has no interest in anything outside of its traditional prey, and it has never been known to. Gar are also known as gar pike or garfishes (itis 2004d, 2004e). Historically considered a "rough fish," the alligator gar has recently gained popularity as a sport fish, attracting national and international attention after being featured on several television shows.