THE GARPIKES 



(Lepisosteidae) 



Garpikes are long, rather cylindrical fishes with beaklike jaws and 

 bodies covered by such a tough armor of scales that the Carib 

 Indians used gar skins for breastplates. Gars are related to some of 

 the earliest fossil fishes, as is shown by the continuation of the 

 vertebrae along part of the upper margin of the fan-shaped tail. 

 They are fierce predators and in some localities seem bent upon 

 destroying all other fishes of less ancient lineage. Man, the most 

 zealous predator, is their only successful enemy. 



LoNGNosE Gar; Billfish 

 (Lepisosteus osseus) 



Appearance. Body long, slender, pale olive above, silvery below, 

 the body and posterior fins with black spots. There is a black band 

 along the side of the young fish which is also distinguished by a 

 lance-shaped upper lobe to the tail fin. This lobe later disappears. 



Size. 1500 mm. long. 



Habitat. Lakes and rivers, where they are sometimes locally 

 abundant. 



Breeding Habits. During late May and early June the adults 

 work their way into the grass and water plants of shallow water 

 to spawn. 



Food. Mosquito larvae and daphnia can be given to the very 

 young fishes. Minnows of suitable size are best for somewhat older 

 fishes, but they will learn to eat chipped liver or fish. 



The Billfish is interesting to keep because of its form and habits. 



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