Alligator pike (Atractosteus Lepisosteus spatula)

The alligator gar is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world and a true rarity in aquariums. With its massive, torpedo-shaped body, broad, alligator-like mouth, and hard ganoid scales, it resembles a living fossil. This species has existed virtually unchanged for millions of years and fascinates with its raw power and serenity in equal measure.

Atractosteus spatula is a predominantly calm ambush predator that requires ample space and moves slowly but purposefully. Due to its enormous adult size, it is not suitable for standard aquariums , but only for very large indoor setups, display tanks, or pond systems with sufficient depth and filtration capacity. Smaller fish are considered prey.

Husbandry data:
Final size: up to approx. 250–300 cm
Origin: North America (Mississippi Basin, Gulf Coast)
Temperature: 18–28 °C
pH value: 6.5–8.0
Overall hardness: soft to medium-hard
Social behavior: predatory, only with very large, robust species
Aquarium / System: Special tank or pond , several thousand liters required
Food: Piscivores – whole fish, large pieces of frozen food

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is an extremely demanding fish and is only suitable for experienced aquarists with very large facilities. An impressive specimen for display purposes, unique in its size, history, and presence.