View Full Version : Mixing Gar & Bichirs
dragonscale
05-15-2005, 6:03 AM
Is it safe to mix gars and bichirs in a 100 gal aquarium? I have an approx. 13" spotted gar, a 10" congicus endlicheri and a 10" ornatipinnis. Would it be alright to add smaller sized bichirs too as I'd like to increase my bichir collection?
HuttShun
05-15-2005, 6:05 AM
Is it safe to mix gars and bichirs in a 100 gal aquarium? I have an approx. 13" spotted gar, a 10" congicus endlicheri and a 10" ornatipinnis. Would it be alright to add smaller sized bichirs too as I'd like to increase my bichir collection?
it should be ok. i have a 18" long nose 15" florida and 15" spotted and they dont seem to bother even a 3" albino senegalus birchir
Should be no problem, both fishes are relatively peaceful if they can't eat each other so I doubt there'll be any problems mixing them together.
Is it safe to mix gars and bichirs in a 100 gal aquarium? I have an approx. 13" spotted gar, a 10" congicus endlicheri and a 10" ornatipinnis. Would it be alright to add smaller sized bichirs too as I'd like to increase my bichir collection?
No problem, I had 2 spotted gars, size 12" & 15" wif 1 endlicheri 16" previously, basically the endy will not bother the gars, they are of different "water level", one bottom dweller, one surface swimmer(although sometime gars will rest at the bottom)
marshy
05-15-2005, 6:37 AM
No problem, I had 2 spotted gars, size 12" & 15" wif 1 endlicheri 16" previously, basically the endy will not bother the gars, they are of different "water level", one bottom dweller, one surface swimmer(although sometime gars will rest at the bottom)
Agreed.. no problems at all with my mix too... perhaps just make sure your Endi is not too much bigger than the Gar will do... Else the Endi mistakes the Gar for feeder...
i have 12" florida gar with 10" ornate, 12" ornate, 14" ornate, 11" delhezi and 12" lima shovelnose and everyone is ok in 135 gallon tank
dragonscale
05-15-2005, 9:08 AM
Tnx for the quick replies. But m a bit apprehensive about mixing a 3" bichir with 15" to 18" gars (as per Huttshun). I've noticed the gar swimming along the tank bottom looking for food that had already sunk. Wouldn't it try to get a bite out of the small bichir? The reason I'm posing this question is because I'm about to buy several 3" endies, and I sure don't want to lose them to the rapacious gar!!!
aapl76
05-15-2005, 10:51 AM
no worries at all...there should be no problem at all.... :)
rayman45
05-15-2005, 11:36 AM
they'll be fine :)`
beblondie
05-15-2005, 12:26 PM
I wouldn't put a 3 inch bichir in with a 15 inch gar but thats just me -Anne
E_americanus
05-15-2005, 12:39 PM
i agree with anne,
do NOT put a 3" bichir with a 15" gar. although gars are generally peaceful predators, they can be somewhat unpredictable and will sometimes even take on food that they cannot swallow. a 3" bichir is far too easy a target for a hungry gar. if the bichirs and gars are of similar size they should get along relatively well (watch for frayed fins if the gar rest on the bottom near aggressive bichirs, i have noticed this with gars living with P.e.endlicheri and P.b.bichir).
there are always exceptions to the rule, but i wouldn't risk it with the small bichir unless you are willing to potentially sacrifice him as a feeder.--
--solomon
I have got to agree with e-americanus, That is to much of a size difference.
3" bichir versus 15" gar, that's risky!! Better not.
rayman45
05-15-2005, 8:32 PM
ok we have established theat 3" bichar & 15" gar is a no no
HuttShun
05-16-2005, 3:41 AM
hmmm but now mine so far no problems. if u dun feel easy with it then better dun try.
TheLoachGuy
05-16-2005, 3:13 PM
I wouldnt see why not.. Big enough tank should mean no problems
E_americanus
05-16-2005, 9:17 PM
a big enough tank will not solve all problems, especially when dealing with size dependent predation. the gar and the bichir WILL eventually run into each other, the gar may ignore the bichir the first few times or every time, however, there is a good chance the gar will eat the bichir (especially since its small).
i have seen gars take down fishes that were much larger than one would expect, some that there was no possible way the gar could swallow, but they tried (and killed the tankmate) anyway.
rayman45
05-16-2005, 9:18 PM
a big enough tank will not solve all problems, especially when dealing with size dependent predation. the gar and the bichir WILL eventually run into each other, the gar may ignore the bichir the first few times or every time, however, there is a good chance the gar will eat the bichir (especially since its small).
i have seen gars take down fishes that were much larger than one would expect, some that there was no possible way the gar could swallow, but they tried (and killed the tankmate) anyway.
knows his ****
piranha45
05-16-2005, 9:20 PM
if you wanna take a risk, go for it. If you don't want to take a risk, don't do it. Mr. Pickerel above here is a good voice of reason to follow.
dragonscale
05-17-2005, 10:57 PM
I'll play it safe and separate the small endis from the gar for the moment. Tnx for the discussion, guys!!!
AlaskaJammin
05-23-2005, 8:11 AM
Yeah im we beblondie. Ive had problems the other way, where my 12 inch ornate devoured my
four inch gar. Right now I have 7 silver hujeta gar, two 12" needle nose, and one spotted with a ornate, senegal, enlicheri, buttokoferi, Palmas Palmas, and a Retropinnis bichir. Tank also has a tiger shovelnose, two african pike, and asian redtail, and a school of 6 jurapari and five spot jewels. Believe it or not I dont have any problems with anybody.
buddah101
05-23-2005, 8:15 AM
You must have a bangin huge tank, then, huh?
AlaskaJammin
05-24-2005, 6:04 AM
Yeah Its a really well fed 210 gallon with a bunch of driftwood. I also Have a douple sump filtration system so I can feed everybody plenty and not have to worry about water quality to much. Have plans for a 500 gallon in the near future. Looking for the right custom glass guy in alaska. 210 is the biggest all glass makes. lol