Description Shortnose gar

lepisosteus platostomus

shortnose gar have prehistoric-looking appearance. many other lie-in-wait predators, have elongated, torpedo-like body elongated head containing 1 row of sharp, conical teeth. similar many paleozoic , mesozoic actinopterygians, bodies covered in rows of interlocking, rhomboidal ganoid scales create exceptionally protective, yet flexible armor around fish. dorsal fin located posterior directly above anal fin , near large caudal fin. shortnose gar vary in color, changing brown/olive green on dorsal surface yellow on sides , white on underbelly. shortnose gar can discerned other gar species in lack upper jaw of alligator gar, long snout of longnose gar, , markings of spotted gar. shortnose gar reaches 88 cm (35 in), more common length 62.5 cm (24.6 in).