🐟 Black Melanistic Florida Gar – (Lepisosteus platyrhincus)
The Black Melanistic Florida Gar is a rare color morph of the Florida Gar, a long, slender freshwater fish native to the southeastern United States. This melanistic variant is characterized by its darker, nearly black coloration, offering a unique and striking appearance. Like all gars, it is a powerful predator requiring large tanks and expert care.
🏠 Tank Size: Minimum 250 gallons
🌊 Prefers warm, well-oxygenated freshwater with slow to moderate flow
🪵 Provide open swimming areas and shaded spots
🍤 Carnivorous — feeds on fish, crustaceans, and amphibians
🐟 Requires a high-protein diet and careful feeding
🐠 Predatory and territorial
🚫 Not suitable for community tanks with small fish
🌡️ Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
💧 pH: 6.5–7.5
📏 Size: Up to 36 inches (90 cm) or more
⚠️ Needs a very large tank or pond and excellent filtration
🌿 Requires secure lids due to occasional jumping behavior
🔖 Scientific Name | Lepisosteus platyrhincus |
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🐟 Common Name | Black Melanistic Florida Gar |
🌎 Origin | Southeastern United States |
📏 Size | Up to 36 inches (90 cm) |
🌡️ Temperature | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
💧 pH Range | 6.5–7.5 |
🐟 Temperament | Predatory, territorial |
🏠 Tank Size | 250+ gallons |
🍽️ Diet | Carnivore |
💡 The Black Melanistic Florida Gar is a rare and impressive predator, suitable only for advanced aquarists with very large tanks or pond setups.