4" Alligator Gar Info

[predatorkeeper87]

This is the alligator gar. I posted him on here to be ID'd and was told he was a true alligator gar. I do have future planning for him but haven't yet got the dimensions of the pond yet. I'm thinking about making this thread into a growth rate thread if anyone would be interested in that. I started him on goldfish and Rosie reds but I plan on trying to train him on pellets. Does anyone have a good way to do that? At what size should I start to try to pellet training? I will post an updated photo later of him which is about a week after I got him. Thanks.


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fair enough...thats a gator gar. I wasn't being rude when I asked for a pic, just didnt want to give you advice for a gator gar when you had a florida or something.

If he's eating good now, my advice if you really want to pellet train him is to start now. pick a method (the one mentioned with having a large tankmate that eats pellets already works well from what I'm told) and stick to it. the younger the better.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

2' in two months!?! What were you feeding it?

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protein shakes and mass gainer from the sounds of it. They are notoriously fast growers though so if he was dumping feeders in there daily I could see getting close to that in a couple months time lol.

 

[cnel124]

Mine grow at an inch a week if they're fed constantly

 

[Moois232]

Thanks everyone! I have yet to see him actually eat though. The feeders just seem to disappear and he thickens up. What type of pellets should I try to feed and where can I find them? I'll try to get updated pictures asap. I heard somewhere that people feed live mice as a treat for their gators but isn't this very unhealthy? What are your views on this? Thanks again.


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[predatorkeeper87]

Thanks everyone! I have yet to see him actually eat though. The feeders just seem to disappear and he thickens up. What type of pellets should I try to feed and where can I find them? I'll try to get updated pictures asap. I heard somewhere that people feed live mice as a treat for their gators but isn't this very unhealthy? What are your views on this? Thanks again.


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I'd go with jumbo carnisticks by hikari. they float and are oblong shaped which piscavores seem to go for more.

I wouldn't feed your gar mice. I'm sure it would be a treat for him and I imagine it happens occasionally in the wild but I would stick with prepped foods like tilapia and maybe shrimp.

 

[screaminleeman]

Mine grow at an inch a week if they're fed constantly

That seems closer to me. With that rate, a 4" Gator gar would be 12" after two months. Another poster claimed 2' in two months.

I would seriously question what size the Gator gar that reached 2' in two months started at.

I simply do not accept that it was a 4" juvi, but take growth rate with a grain of salt.

My experience with 4 gator gars are ALL in line with the estimate given by cnel124. Please do not feel that you gator gar is a runt if it is NOT 2 feet long after 2 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Moois232]

I'd go with jumbo carnisticks by hikari. they float and are oblong shaped which piscavores seem to go for more.

I wouldn't feed your gar mice. I'm sure it would be a treat for him and I imagine it happens occasionally in the wild but I would stick with prepped foods like tilapia and maybe shrimp.

Okay thanks and where should I get them from? As in where could I get them for the cheapest? Thanks.


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[Moois232]

That seems closer to me. With that rate, a 4" Gator gar would be 12" after two months. Another poster claimed 2' in two months.

I would seriously question what size the Gator gar that reached 2' in two months started at.

I simply do not accept that it was a 4" juvi, but take growth rate with a grain of salt.

My experience with 4 gator gars are ALL in line with the estimate given by cnel124. Please do not feel that you gator gar is a runt if it is NOT 2 feet long after 2 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Haha okay thank you I'll keep that in mind.


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[Moois232]

I still have yet to see my gator gar eat. Is that unusual or are they skiddish up to a certain size or point of being in a new tank? I am still feeding live, as I think I'm going to wait until it is a larger size to try for pellets so it will be hardier. He currently is about 6". Thanks.


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