View Full Version : Smaller gar
MrfisH
10-29-2005, 6:54 PM
Reading the alligator gar thread made me think of the needle-nose gar. They have a couple of sharp lookin ones at the lfs and they perked my interest, but how compatible are they? and they said they only get to about 20" is that accurate? I couldnt really find any definite info in my searching.
xxxdrewww
10-29-2005, 6:58 PM
are those the same fish as needle fish?
beblondie
10-29-2005, 7:51 PM
realize they are not true gars but most likely Xenocara dolichopterus,Xenentodon cancila or
Ctenolucius hujeta-Anne
lizardfishman
10-29-2005, 8:33 PM
true longnosed gars groow over 4'. so if that is what they are selling, then you will need a long and wide tank.
kentobizmol
10-29-2005, 8:54 PM
where do you live?
depending on where you live you can get "needle nose gars" that get up to 1' or 4'!
MrfisH
10-30-2005, 2:45 AM
new hampshire. why, are there different types of needle nose?
DeLgAdO
10-30-2005, 3:05 AM
new hampshire. why, are there different types of needle nose?
people often confuse the needle nose gar for the longnose gar
needle nose gar isnt a true gar
rumblesushi
10-30-2005, 4:10 AM
they are not gars, and also I have never seen one over about 10".
MrfisH
10-30-2005, 11:58 AM
ok then I'll buy one and then you'll get to tell me what it REALLY is.
It can be confusing if you don't use the genus/species names,
the true gar, (Lepisosteus osseus) is the longnose gar which is also called a needlenose gar in some places and sometimes sold under that name, it seldom exceeds 50" but has been caught up to 80" long.
The false gar, (xenentodon cancila) is the needlefish, also called a needlenosed gar in the fishtrade, it can reach up to 16" long but most stay at about 12".
MrfisH
10-30-2005, 10:27 PM
thanks for the clarification. I really hate going to pick out fish cause half the time they have no idea about the scientific names.
SimonL
11-01-2005, 11:10 PM
I love gar, but true longnose are unsuitable for all but the biggest tank (8'x4'), as they are fairly inflexible and their nose is easily damaged.
The needle nose gar are actually a livebearer and do best in brackish water (especially if you want to breed them. They are nervous fish that jump or smash against the tanks sides if startled. I had my pair in with archers, belonesox pikes, four-eyes and archers.
I definately agree with rumblesushi, never seen one bigger than 10-12 inches.