How long can an alligator gar live?

The alligator gar has a very long lifespan, usually living around 26 to 50 years, and in captivity it can even reach 75 years. It first appeared during the Cretaceous period and lived in the same era as the dinosaurs; thanks to its long life and strong reproductive capacity, it has thrived all the way to the present.

Alligator gar grow very quickly when young, and their growth slows after reaching adulthood. Adults are about 1.5 meters long and can weigh 45 to 72 kilograms. Native to North America, the alligator gar was introduced to China mainly as an ornamental fish, but if released into natural waters it can cause serious damage to the local ecosystem.