View Full Version : Just got a Rocket Gar!
What kind of growth rate can I expect?
It's about 3" right now and in a 20 gallon long QT with feeder guppies and floating plastic plants. Eventually it will go into the 180 gallon with the ray, fire eel, severums and BGK.
Also, is it possible to wean it onto frozen food or pellets? Will it take earth worms?
I'll get pictures tomorrow, didn't want to bother it today more than necessary while it settles in.
rba718
06-20-2008, 9:23 PM
Nice, I have one myself. You can expect it to get to at least 10". They're growth is about average, mines grew about 3" in just under a year.
They'll easily take worms, especially frozen blood worms, mines loves them but loves Hikari Carnivore sticks even more. I'd suggest getting him used to those as well.
He'll do fine in that 20 gallon for a while but when he gets to around 5-6" try and swap him into the 180 so he can finish growing. Good luck bro.
I figure I'll keep him in the 20 until I can get him to eat something other than feeders and get some more size on him. In worried the BGK may see the gar as a snack at it's current size.
Oh, and I'm not a bro, but a sis(?)
city_of_evil6661
06-20-2008, 9:43 PM
show us a pic. most likely it isnt a true gar.
rba718
06-20-2008, 9:46 PM
I figure I'll keep him in the 20 until I can get him to eat something other than feeders and get some more size on him. In worried the BGK may see the gar as a snack at it's current size.
Oh, and I'm not a bro, but a sis(?)
My bad lol.
How big is the BGK? Unless it's like 10"+ I don't think you'll have a problem. The Hujetas are surface dwellers at heart where the BGKs are bottom dwellers.
Also, for the record, the Rocket Gars aren't really Gars at all. Most places will label them Gars or even Barracuda just to get them sold. They're of the Characin family, known as C. Hujeta.
show us a pic. most likely it isnt a true gar.
Pic tomorrow, the lights have been off in the fishroom for an hour now and I'd probably scare the crap out of the fish if I went down there right now and started snaping away.
I know my Rocket Gar (C. hujeta) isn't a true gar, but it's close enough for me. My biggest tank is a 180 so I don't have the room for the larger true gars. I wanted a fish for the top level of my tank and the Rocket Gar seemed like it would be a good fit.
city_of_evil6661
06-20-2008, 11:10 PM
Pic tomorrow, the lights have been off in the fishroom for an hour now and I'd probably scare the crap out of the fish if I went down there right now and started snaping away.
I know my Rocket Gar (C. hujeta) isn't a true gar, but it's close enough for me. My biggest tank is a 180 so I don't have the room for the larger true gars. I wanted a fish for the top level of my tank and the Rocket Gar seemed like it would be a good fit.
no offence but they should not be posted in the gar forum. they should be posted in the 'other monster fish' forum. and a 180g can house a Florida/Spotted gar for life if im not mistaken.
rallysman
06-20-2008, 11:16 PM
moved for ya
no offence but they should not be posted in the gar forum. they should be posted in the 'other monster fish' forum. and a 180g can house a Florida/Spotted gar for life if im not mistaken.
ill question that for life but it will hold it for many years.... ive heard of them reaching 24" wich would mean a tank 30" deep would be better....
channarox
06-21-2008, 12:31 AM
i got mine onto pellets easy...
shamrock
06-23-2008, 2:15 PM
Newt-it would have been better if you had gotten 4-5 Hujetas they do better and look great as a school.