The hatched young possess an adhesive organ on the end of their snouts and stay attached to vegetation until about 0.8 in (2 cm) long. Female's eggs are typically fertilized by multiple males. Groups of both sexes come together in shallow, weedy water where the females discharge their adhesive eggs among the aquatic plants. This occurs in late winter and early spring, with spawning typically occurring between February and March. Usually the bottom will be 10 feet or more. Here they will be about 6-10 inches below the surface. Some times they will be hiding on the edge of weeds. Usually when you find them here, they will have their head in the weeds and will only show a small portion of the body. They sometimes will hide in weeds in 4-10 feet. They use an air bladder to breathe air which helps them survive in poorly oxygenated water. They are often found in medium to shallow waters. They can be found in the Ochlockonee River and waters east and in peninsular Florida in medium to large lowland streams, canals, and lakes with muddy or sandy bottoms near underwater vegetation.

The young may have dark stripes on the back and sides. Their color is olive-brown on the back and upper sides, with a white to yellow belly. Also, it has a shorter, broad snout with a single row of irregularly spaced sharp teeth on the upper and lower jaws. The distance of the eyes is less than two-thirds the length of the snout. This species has irregular round, black spots on the top of its head and over the entire body including the anal fin. According to the IGFA, the record weight for this species is 10 kg (22 lb). The roe is highly toxic to many animals, including humans and birds. Although edible, they are not popular as food. Adults mainly eat fish, shrimp, and crayfish. The young feed on zooplankton and insect larvae, as well as small fish. Florida gar can reach a length over 3 ft (91 cm).

The Florida gar ( Lepisosteus platyrhincus) is a species of gar found in the US from the Savannah River and Ochlockonee River watersheds of Georgia and throughout peninsular Florida. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lepisosteus platyrhincus.

Florida gar planet fishing