Shortnose Gar vs. Juvenile Alligator Gar?

[Haris122]

Just discussed this a little bit with some fishing buddies of mine, but I was wondering is there a good way of knowing whether you just caught a shortnose gar or actually a juvenile alligator gar. I always thought the shortnose ones had a relatively broad snout just like the alligator one, so is there anything more to the snout anatomy, or anything else that could be used to set them aside.

[Johnsfolly]

Haris122 - The alligator gar has a broader head that is somewhat spade shaped. the snout is the narrowest part of the head The distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the mouth is shorter than the distance from the end of the mouth to the back of head. The shortnose gar has a head that narrows then slightly expands as you get to the end of the snout. The distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the mouth is greater than the mouth to the back of the head. Also the alligator gar has two rows of teeth in the upper jar if you are willing to look in its mouth.

Sent you a PM with some more info.