Within the first few months they have black and dark green spots, bands, and/or blotches laterally and their are bodies are more olive-bronze or golden colored dorsally with silvery white gill plates and lower jaw. Sunlight) stripe or spots linearly along the dorsal line which fade with growth through the first few weeks of life resulting in a solid dark green or olive dorsal appearance. Larval to juveniles have a light colored (lustrous in Specimens from clearer water tend to be darker and have more patterns dorsally. All colors tend to fade grayer and whiter with increased turbidity. Fins, particularly ventrally, along with ventral scales often have a reddish-pink hue or lines most likely associated with blood vessel saturation. Gill plates vary in color from bronze-olive, gray, and silvery white. Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins have black spots and are mostly olive green or gray while pelvic and pectoral fins are generally unspotted and gray-white to white. The large ganoid scales are dotted mid-dorsally with varying camouflaging shades mixing between black and light colored golden-white spots. Their coloration is generally dark olive green dorsally fading to gray-white sides and white ventrally.

Some shortnose gar have also been observed with double rows of teeth on the upper jaw leading to inaccurate identification however, other morphological differences are distinguishable when examined more closely. The second row of teeth is located inside the mouth, not to be confused with the externally visible teeth that can be seen when the mouth is closed. Alligator gar and other members of Atractosteus have two rows of teeth on the upper jaw. When the mouth is closed they teeth seat into recessed openings on the corresponding jaw. The number, rows, and locations of the teeth are highly variable with some fish having teeth in and outside of the closed mouth in what appear like revolving rows for replacement of lost teeth. Teeth are large and canine like in size, however, while most of their teeth are needle sharp at the tip some fish have less sharp pre-molar-like teeth, possible due to heavy use and age. However, this species is easily distinguishable with experience, training, and upon visual comparison.Īlligator gar are distinct from other gars by having a heavier and broader body, a short broad snout, and numerous large teeth. Most people capturing the more common species believe they have caught an alligator gar and will refer to it as so. Alligator Gar are often confused with other more commonly encountered gar species due to their similarity of appearance to the untrained eye.

Black alligator gar