Public Works and Environmental Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon - Fri

703-324-5500
TTY 711

12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 449, Fairfax, Va 22035

Shannon Curtis,
Chief, Watershed Assessment Branch

Gar - Family Lepisosteidae

Much Longer Than Tall
Much Longer Than Tall
One Dorsal Fin
One Dorsal Fin
Really Long Pointed Mouth
Really Long Pointed Mouth

LONGNOSE GAR

LONGNOSE GAR - Lepisosteus osseus

Scientific Name: Lepisosteus osseus
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 36 inches, rarely to 60 inches
Diet: Primarily fish as adults, small crustaceans and insects as juveniles
Distribution sampling sites: Map

The longnose gar is an apex predator, and plays an important role in preventing other species from overpopulating habitats. Gars have existed since dinosaurs roamed the earth, before most of the fish we know today even evolved.


References
Jenkins, R. E., N. M. Burkhead, 1994, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia,1079 pgs., American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD

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