I officially have two Florida gar on the way! They will be shipped on Tuesday and will arrive Wednesday. I could not be more excited! I have wanted to keep them for years, and now I finally can!
I am preparing for their arrival today. I will be purchasing freeze dried krill, frozen krill, and black backgrounds to wrap 3/4 of my tank. They have the option of starting in a 37g high, and migrating into my 180g, or going straight into the 180 (preferred method, as the 37 grow out is occupied by 5 messy 4.5-5.5" Poly's already). The Poly's will be migrating in the spring, and the 37 will become a grow out tank for 5, 2.5" datnoids.
Here is the 180:
I have added more plants since. It is occupied by:
11.5" senegalus
10.5" WC Polypterus Lapradei sp. "Faranah"
7.5" Ornatipinnis
8" ornatipinnis
3, 4.5" clown loaches
40+ ghost shrimp (massivore gut loaded)
I plan on trying to keep them on massivore, ghost shrimp, and freeze dried shrimp. I will be wrapping the 180 in a black background tonight. I was thinking they would do well in the 180 because it is so heavily planted, and has plenty of driftwood. Any input there?
Also, what else should I buy while I am out?
I am preparing for their arrival today. I will be purchasing freeze dried krill, frozen krill, and black backgrounds to wrap 3/4 of my tank. They have the option of starting in a 37g high, and migrating into my 180g, or going straight into the 180 (preferred method, as the 37 grow out is occupied by 5 messy 4.5-5.5" Poly's already). The Poly's will be migrating in the spring, and the 37 will become a grow out tank for 5, 2.5" datnoids.
Here is the 180:
I have added more plants since. It is occupied by:
11.5" senegalus
10.5" WC Polypterus Lapradei sp. "Faranah"
7.5" Ornatipinnis
8" ornatipinnis
3, 4.5" clown loaches
40+ ghost shrimp (massivore gut loaded)
I plan on trying to keep them on massivore, ghost shrimp, and freeze dried shrimp. I will be wrapping the 180 in a black background tonight. I was thinking they would do well in the 180 because it is so heavily planted, and has plenty of driftwood. Any input there?
Also, what else should I buy while I am out?
on to your tank, go for the 180 straight off the bat, after qt first, as long as the gar arent tiny they will be fine, and there top level fish, so no worries about pissin off the bichirs. Its well planted and will be mostly blacked out to reduce stress so they should settle in fast. As far as food, they may need to be fed live to begin with but should be easy enough to get onto frozen, ie shrimp fish fillets, and when they are knocking back frozen like champs start stuffing it with pellets. Good luck with the gar, i bet under your care theyll do great 
