Gars incoming! A few questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have until Wednesday to come to a conclusion. Would love to hear from some people with the opposing viewpoint. I want what is in the best interest of the fish. Small tanks feel oppressive to me, and I would prefer to put him in the 180 first for other reasons as well. Still, I do not want to operate with a confirmation bias. Is this sound advice? Is the risk high, or an occasional fluke that can be attributed to improperly acclimating the fish to your presence? I will be around the tank for several hours every day "introducing myself" so to speak.
 
All depends on the size of the gar when it arrives, all the info you need is in the stickies. I have seen many testimonials of gars breaking their backs, when it is preventable it makes it that much worse to see. When it arrives and you can see the size, make your decision. Whatever you think is best. Just know the consequences of putting a YOY gar in a large tank.

Also check out the info on somatic growth in the gar husbandry stickies. As "no live food" is not really a viable option when dealing with a YOY gar.
 
Logically it seems gar are more likely to injure themselves in small tanks no? If they have room then a quick movement isn't an issue. I've also found gar easy to train onto tilapia at small sizes. I doubt you have any issues. Good luck.
 
small gar cannot control their speed very well and their back still weak, so if you put them in a big tank they can build up their speed and bang into the tank wall breaking the back. Once having that injury, most of the time they will die and nothing you can really do to save them.
 
Right on. Thanks for the info. I will probably add additional filtration to the 37 and put them in there for the time being. Or maybe just pick up a second 40g breeder. 40g tanks are so useful~

The plan isn't no live food, just no live fish. I will keep gut loaded ghost shrimp on tap for them. My polys love them, and swim much more when they are in the tank. I ought to just breed the little guys :p
 
Sorry, forgot you mentioned the ghost shrimp, that should be great. Hopefully you get some nice fish, best of luck to you whatever you decide on. Maybe you'll get some big suckers you can throw in the big tank!
 
Let's hope so :D

Its heavily planted and full of hiding spots. My larger Poly's spend the majority of their time hiding during the day hours. It sucks to have buddies over to show off the set up only to show them a seemingly empty aquascape. Gar are such beautiful and interesting creatures! It should really flesh things out to add them!

In the event of smaller fish, will blacking out the sides of the 37 be necessary? I'll probably go pick up a 40g honestly. Its a dollar a gallon at Petco right now. Seems good, and the grow out Poly's could use an upgrade anyway. Or maybe I'll cl a 75, and give my and my girlfriends axolotls an impromptu tank upgrade. Hmm. Decision time.
 
I threw my gars into my 180 a couple months ago when they were 4 inches, its a risk but it can be done.
 
How big will the floridas be? You shouldn't have to blackout the tank. Mine were never flighty. If they have enough swimming space they'll just loaf around the top. My floridas aren't too picky about their food, but they're a little slow getting to it. Never had bichirs so not sure how aggressive they feed. They should take krill right off the bat, might have to wait for them to get a bit bigger for pellets. Mine didn't like pellets until about 8-12 inches.

I think they'll love your 180 provided they aren't tiny enough to be swallowed by your ornate or other larger bichirs. It looks like they have some cover up top they can retreat into. I'd put them in the 180 if they are about 8" or bigger. I've seen my lfs get some tiny gar in and they're a little fragile at that size. They should do well with the polys. Top and bottom will both have some activity now :)
 
cnel124 said:
I threw my gars into my 180 a couple months ago when they were 4 inches, its a risk but it can be done.
Click to expand...

How big are they now? Was there ever a moment when they almost broke their backs?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom