Gars, in the family Lepisosteidae, are primitive freshwater fish. There are 7 North
American species that share some features in common with sharks (such as a
heterocercal tail and a spiral valve.) The gar illustrated is probably the Florida gar,
Lepisosteus platyrhincus or the spotted gar, L. oculatus. Both species grow to about
4 feet in length.

(Fish notes by Richard Lord, Guernsey)