my 2 10 inch gars are acting funny . They were eating cut up fish and shrimp well till about 2 weeks back became jumpy and get spooked easy. Now eat much less and one none at all . . Im thinking to put in a bunch of feeder what should I do ?
Alligator Gar Behavior
- Thread starter doctor666
- Start date
I'd test your water first. My floridas stopped eating for a couple days recently because the pH was really low. Did a water change and removed the peat granules from the filter that was causing the low pH and not doing what I wanted it to and within hours everyone had their appetite back.
Well gars doesn't eat shrimp at all. Try changing their food every month. I have a spotted gar, at first they were eating superworms then they stopped, so i switched to guppy then switched to feeder fish then switched to shrimp, i just do it in a cycle mode. By doing this you're giving them a healthy diet.
Did a water change and cleaned the filters and they ate all the feeders . . they look more comfortable and are eating shrimp but still one is jumpy. Im thinking of shifting the tank to a calmer environment. Also how do you guys feed them cut fish and shrimp ? Do you drop the food to the bottom ? I attach the fish or shrimp on a long skewer and once its near them they grab it and eat.
I just drop the shrimp in. Two of my gars know where the shrimp gets dropped and will wait for it. The other gars either pick them out midwater or after they settle to the bottom.
It is not uncommon in any way for your gar to take hunger strikes. In fact it is quite normal. I have 19 gar and have had my oldest for about 6 years. I've witnesses gar starving themselves for 2 to 3 months at a time especially in the winter months. Its like they know. But neway this usually means there shedding and having a growth spurt. Pay attention to the color of your gar. They turn very ashey or light colored and lay low on the food for a couple weeks until they molt. You will notice the color difference immediatly. Dont be worried im sure they are fine and Don't mess with there water unless something is seriously wrong in your tests, your gar are just doing what there supposed to.
my gar were trained to hand feed with roach clips and goldfish lol....also worms. once they learn to eat off the surface they will readily accept pellets. It is a myth that feeders ruin your gar, If you read about them they almost only eat small fish in the wild. My gar recieve feeders once a week and still take pellets during the inbetween time.
. Gars Molt ?? wow I didnt know that 
They were eating good but now one of them started acting all spooked again. Ones eating well and is growing bigger and fatter.