The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7
At times, divers and snorkelers mistake the freshwater gar for a small alligator, and for good reason. Some gar species’ dark markings paired with an elongated body and matching elongated jaw are reminiscent of an alligator. The largest gar species is even named the alligator gar and can grow up to 2 m (6.5 ft) long and weigh over 45 kg (100 lb)! Considered an ancient fish, gars are members of the Lepisosteidae family and are the only surviving members of the Ginglymodi, an ancient group of ray-finned fish from the Triassic period.
Divers can typically find gar in the freshwater springs and rivers of North America, Central America, and some areas of the Caribbean. Although they are often referred to as ’garpike,’ they are not closely related to pike. Gar are anatomically unique within the fish family, as they possess swim bladders that can function as lungs. You can witness gars surf periodically to gulp air, which is done more frequently in warm or stagnant water when oxygen concentration is low. To dive with gar, explore the dive site map below and find where they are most commonly sighted.
