What is Alligator gar?
[[File:Alligator Gar 10.JPG|thumb|An alligator gar]] The '''alligator gar''' (''Atractosteus spatula'') is a species of [[freshwater fish]] belonging in the genus ''[[Atractosteus]]'' that is closely related to the [[bowfin]]. Their [[common name]] was derived from their resemblance to the [[Alligator|alligators]]. These [[Gar|gars]] are often referred to as [[Living fossil|living fossils]]. They have become an [[invasive species]] in Mainland [[China]], where it can be purchased as an [[Exotic pet|exotic]] pet fish. On September 4, 2009, a 3 ft 3 in (0.99 m) alligator gar was found in Tak Wah Park in Tsuen Wan, [[Hong Kong]]. Officials with Leisure and Cultural Services removed all the alligator gar from the ponds because they were concerned they would harm children. == Description == Alligator gar are the largest species in the [[gar]] family, and among the largest [[freshwater fishes]] found in [[North America]]. The alligator gar has a torpedo-shaped body. It resembles that of an [[alligator]], which is a type of [[reptile]]. == Distribution == Alligator gar are a diverse fish species. inhabit a wide variety of [[Aquatic habitat|aquatic habitats]], but most are found in the [[Southern United States]] in [[Reservoir|reservoirs]] and [[lakes]], in the backwaters of lowland [[River|rivers]], and in the [[Brackish water|brackish waters]] of [[Estuary|estuaries]], bayous, and [[bay]]s. == Spawning == As with most ancestral species, alligator gar are long-lived, and sexually late maturing. == Taxonomy == In 1803, [[Bernard Germain de Lacépède|Lacépède]] first described the alligator gar. The old name was ''Lepisosteus spatula'', but was changed by E.O. Wiley in 1976 to ''Atractosteus spatula''. == In the aquarium == [[File:Alligator gar fish (white background).jpg|thumb|229x229px]] Despite their large size, they are kept as aquarium fish. These fishes require a very large [[aquarium]] or [[pond]]. In many areas, it is illegal for alligator gar to become your [[Pet|pets]]. == Related pages == * [[Atractosteu