1-Meter+ Alligator Gar Caught in Hyogo

Heard of alligator gar? They are the largest species in the gar family and perhaps the largest predatory freshwater fishes in North America. Now,  one of them, 1 meter and 9 centimeters long, was caught on May 2 in a tributary of Ibo River in the west of Hyogo. The river is a known fishing ground of Ayu, sweet fish, and the local fishermen's cooperative is studying the extent of damages done to the resources of sweet fish and eel. The alligator gar weighed 9.6 kilos.

Rumors of a mammoth fish were rampant along the river since last June and the cooperative has even tried an electric device to stun the fish in vain.

On May 2 this month, an angular from Himeji caught it with a slice of saury on the hook. Ibo River and its tributaries are known for a rich reservoir of sweet fish and eel. The local cooperative plans to have the fish dissected to see whether or not it has consumed sweet fish, eel, and other aquatic resources.

Alligator gar attracted fans of tropical fish and propagated in large numbers. They often grow up to maximum 3 meters and many have given up raising the fish and released them. Director Tatsuo Yokota of the Ibo River Fishermen's Cooperative commented:

"We have had so much trouble catching the fish. We do hope whoever owns this particular fish will make sure never to release it."

Data show that the officially recorded largest alligator gar was caught in Mississippi on February 14, 2011, 2.572 meters long weighing148 kilos presumably 50 to 70 years of age. The fish is on display at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science in Jackson. (Nathan Shiga)

Source: NHK