Alligator gar
Atractosteus spatula
- Tank length
- 600 cmabout 20 ft (236 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C68–79 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 130 cmabout 4 ft (51 in)
- Lifespan
- 30–50 yrs
Grows to several metres and lives decades; unsuitable for home aquaria and restricted in many regions.Grows to several metres and lives decades; unsuitable for home aquaria and restricted in many regions.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
Alligator gar may eat Acei cichlidAlligator gar may eat Acei cichlid
- African butterfly cichlid
Alligator gar may eat African butterfly cichlidAlligator gar may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Alligator gar may eat African clawed frogAlligator gar may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Alligator gar may eat Agassiz's coryAlligator gar may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Alligator gar may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishAlligator gar may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpAlligator gar may eat Amano shrimpAlligator gar may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Alligator gar may eat American flagfishAlligator gar may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Alligator gar may eat Angfa rainbowfishAlligator gar may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Alligator gar may eat Arfak rainbowfishAlligator gar may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailAlligator gar may eat Assassin snailAlligator gar may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Alligator gar may eat Banded gouramiAlligator gar may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Alligator gar may eat Bandit coryAlligator gar may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 20–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Mississippi basin and Gulf Coast, USA and Mexico | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | top | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 30–50 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 60 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 600 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |