Florida Gar tips?

[Bean Jonkus]

Hi, I just recently got a florida gar and was told he only accepted pellets. I would say hes roughly 14 inches long. He is temporarily homed in my 180 gallon tank with a school of large clown loaches. I have had him for almost a month and have yet to physically see him eat/accept any foods.
I have tried the following: Hikari jumbo floating carnisticks, Hikari massivore pellet, Hikari food sticks, Northfin floating pellet, Blood worms/brine shrimp (those have always been fed regardless for my clowns), Tilapia, Salmon, Large shrimp, Clam meat, Beef heart, and there are even some feeder fish in the tank that he doesn't seem to be interested in either.
He has to be eating something, he is nice and plump all the time, and I know he hasn't eaten any of the clown loaches because they are to big to fit into his mouth and I check them multiple times a day but, I have never seen him accept any food I offer, most days I end up cleaning out the chunks of food because it is just rotting away.
He is active and seems to be normal and fine I am just concerned and curious if maybe I am doing something wrong and or something I can change to suit him better.
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm
78 F

 

[kno4te]

Probably just settling in still. Wait it out and give it time. Retry in a week. I’d suggest avoid anymore live fish for now. Should be able to get on pellets. Also able to go a while w/o food. Try soaking the pellets in garlic if needed.

 

[tlindsey]

Hi, I just recently got a florida gar and was told he only accepted pellets. I would say hes roughly 14 inches long. He is temporarily homed in my 180 gallon tank with a school of large clown loaches. I have had him for almost a month and have yet to physically see him eat/accept any foods.
I have tried the following: Hikari jumbo floating carnisticks, Hikari massivore pellet, Hikari food sticks, Northfin floating pellet, Blood worms/brine shrimp (those have always been fed regardless for my clowns), Tilapia, Salmon, Large shrimp, Clam meat, Beef heart, and there are even some feeder fish in the tank that he doesn't seem to be interested in either.
He has to be eating something, he is nice and plump all the time, and I know he hasn't eaten any of the clown loaches because they are to big to fit into his mouth and I check them multiple times a day but, I have never seen him accept any food I offer, most days I end up cleaning out the chunks of food because it is just rotting away.
He is active and seems to be normal and fine I am just concerned and curious if maybe I am doing something wrong and or something I can change to suit him better.
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 20 ppm
78 F

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View attachment 1544548

Welcome aboard
Agree with kno4te .

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[tlindsey]

I believe Hao suggested dropping food on top of the snout to trigger a feeding reaction.

 

[Hao]

I believe Hao suggested dropping food on top of the snout to trigger a feeding reaction.

Probably won't do anything for this gar. Likely just need to give it time. Should come around when its hungry. Gars can definitely last quite a long time without food (prob half a year at this size, maybe longer).