Alligator Gar Caught in Kiwanis Lake

Kiwanis Lake in Tempe, Arizona, is a popular fishing spot for adults and children alike. It appears that the lake is also home to at least one gar fish. Looking alarmingly like a cross between an alligator and a fish, the garfish - also known gator fish, fishgator, or alligator gar -- has a long snout and several sharp teeth that are rather visible.

Fox 11 from Arizona reports that such an alligator gar swallowed the bait of young Jose Chavez, fishing for catfish alongside his father. What makes this find newsworthy - and dangerous - is the fact that gar fish are considered a highly aggressive predatory fish species which Arizona residents are forbidden from owning, even in their home aquariums.

The fishgator caught by young Mr. Chavez was about the length of a child's arm and looked rather skinny. You may see footage of this alligator gar on the CNN website where the catch is proudly presented to onlookers.

However, to truly understand the alarm of the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Department at the sudden appearance of this garfish, take a look at the alligator gar Tom Wingstad pulled out of Texas' Trinity River in May! The Salt Lake Tribune showcases the jaw dropping gar that measures 7'4", weighed in at 200 pounds, and was thought to be about 50 years old!

The gator gar is an odd fish. Although it appears to be rather unsophisticated, it is a killer that is uniquely adapted to survival. Unlike most fish, the gator fish has lungs that can breathe normal air for up to two hours, enabling it to be dangerous even when pulled out of the water. Native to the fresh waters of southern bayous, rivers and lakes, it is reputed - by one John Clifford -- to even attack alligators and swim away victoriously.

The moral of the story is two-fold: while X-Files aficionados are watching the skies, those with their tootsies in the water will do well to keep a keen eye on that which is below.

Secondly, if you have a pet you can no longer keep (it is suggested that this gator fish was an unwanted pet), don't just dump it in the nearest lake and wash your hands of it! You are not only being cruel to the animal that thus far did not have to fend for itself, but you are endangering children, adults, and animals that suddenly have to content with a predator they are unprepared to face. Do the right thing and surrender the animal to an animal shelter or aquarium.

Source:
http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/phoenix_news-jc_072908_alligator-gar.158cbef0.html
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2008/07/31/dnt.fishgator.ktvk
http://origin.sltrib.com/portlet/article/html/render_gallery.jsp?articleId=9767889&siteId=297&startImage=1
http://faculty.evansville.edu/ck6/bstud/hugegar.html