New Gar Owner.

[Vaughne01]

Hello my name is Jason! Recently just joined the forum as well as a new gar parent. Me and my girlfriend rescued a gar from a really bad rundown exotic pet store and we are still learning a lot about it, how to care for it and what to expect. So as far as I know he was sold as a Spotted Gar, which I have heard other species can be mistaken for easily enough. I also want to make sure his tankmates are fine as we simply wanted some tankmates to help with tank cleaning. We have two plecos and two fiddler crabs that after two weeks have all been getting along fine. I am still researching and wanting the best for my gar. He is about 7-9 inches currently in a 75 gallon tank. I have a few pics I can offer. Any suggestions will be welcome to make sure this little guy gets the best care

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Welcome to the site!

I'm no gar expert, but unfortunately buying fish from a bad pet store is not really a rescue. When fish are bought, as rescues or not, the pet store simply replaces them with more (and thus continues the abuse) because they perceive the fish selling out as high customer demand and therefore a need to get more fish.
It's a vicious cycle that doesn't stop until customers start voting with their money by only shopping at pet stores which treat the fish well.

Nevertheless, good luck raising this fish. I'll leave the tips and advice to the gar owners

 

[tlindsey]

Welcome aboard Jason!

The Spotted Gar can grow over 2 ft. in the wild even larger so you will need to upgrade to a very large aquarium as it grows. The fiddler crabs may be viewed as food.
Do you quarantine the feeders prior to feeding?
Also suggest placing weight or buying clamps for the lid because Gars will jump.
I personally know that Florida Gar are hardy but had one that was eating pellets, Hikari floating food sticks, and strips of Tilapia and Whiting.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/spotted-gar-care.735667/#post-8291133

 

[Vaughne01]

Welcome aboard Jason!

The Spotted Gar can grow over 2 ft. in the wild even larger so you will need to upgrade to a very large aquarium as it grows. The fiddler crabs may be viewed as food.

To answer your question with the feeders, yes we do quarantine them in a 10 gallon tank before transferring them over. We have possible plans to do a Rosie breeding tank. Personally I'd love to get the guy eating some live feeders that are more nutritious but I don't want to get anything too big he can't eat or swallow. As to Tanks comment, I do agree but from what I've heard from the grapevine the pet store is the only exotic pet shop in this town and in question has been working like this for years with it being so dilapidated. Apparently they are friends with the inspector so they never get shut down. Of course me and my girlfriend are never going back, I just hope we can give this guy a good home

 

[BIG-G]

I’ve never had a spotted but have had several Florida and even an alligator for a while.
I would recommend to stay away from live if possible. Watching live feeds are interesting.
A safer more convenient option would be. Cut fish filet

 

[Polypterus_36]

Hello my name is Jason! Recently just joined the forum as well as a new gar parent. Me and my girlfriend rescued a gar from a really bad rundown exotic pet store and we are still learning a lot about it, how to care for it and what to expect. So as far as I know he was sold as a Spotted Gar, which I have heard other species can be mistaken for easily enough. I also want to make sure his tankmates are fine as we simply wanted some tankmates to help with tank cleaning. We have two plecos and two fiddler crabs that after two weeks have all been getting along fine. I am still researching and wanting the best for my gar. He is about 7-9 inches currently in a 75 gallon tank. I have a few pics I can offer. Any suggestions will be welcome to make sure this little guy gets the best care

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This gar is a florida gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus), not a spotted.
Very nice pickup.

 

[Vaughne01]

so I have an update today on our gar. For a whole week he seemed active and moving around the tank. Shortly this afternoon however he now floats to the bottom and stays there for the most part, coming up for air, and just recently came up for air twice within seconds of each other but that has been the first time he has done it so quick in succession. Should I be concerned? So far we know he is eating, just random new behavior for him is all

 

[tlindsey]

so I have an update today on our gar. For a whole week he seemed active and moving around the tank. Shortly this afternoon however he now floats to the bottom and stays there for the most part, coming up for air, and just recently came up for air twice within seconds of each other but that has been the first time he has done it so quick in succession. Should I be concerned? So far we know he is eating, just random new behavior for him is all

Eating is good but would personally test the water parameters just to make sure things are stable.

 

[Vaughne01]

Eating is good but would personally test the water parameters just to make sure things are stable.

WE had it recently tested and the water seemed fine, however we just did do a water change today ((only 25% and this is the first water change for the tank)), and made sure to treat the water before we put it back in just in case. Of course we had taken the time to let everything settle before we put the water back in. Is it possible that may have been the cause?

 

[tlindsey]

WE had it recently tested and the water seemed fine, however we just did do a water change today ((only 25% and this is the first water change for the tank)), and made sure to treat the water before we put it back in just in case. Of course we had taken the time to let everything settle before we put the water back in. Is it possible that may have been the cause?

Yes very possible. The gar is eating and your parameters are fine personally wouldn't worry.