Mississippi

The alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula, is a gar from the lower Mississippi basin and Gulf Coast states of the south-eastern USA and Mexico. One of the largest freshwater fishes in the world, it reaches a recorded 3050 mm and can live well over 50 years, so it should not be considered a home aquarium subject. Juveniles are seen for sale quite regularly, and a hybrid with Lepisosteus platostomus is known as the 'crocodile gar'.

The grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, is a large cyprinid native to the Amur River system in eastern Russia and northeastern China. Adults typically reach 800 to 1200 mm, making it a wholly unsuitable aquarium subject, though an albino form is traded. Widely introduced for aquaculture and weed control, it has caused serious damage to natural waters, and unwanted fish should never be released.

The spotted gar, Lepisosteus oculatus, ranges from Lakes Erie and Michigan south through the Mississippi basin to the Gulf of Mexico drainages. Given its size and a lifespan of several decades it should not be considered a home aquarium subject, and only some public aquaria can maintain it long-term. A modified, vascularised swim bladder allows it to breathe atmospheric air to a certain extent.