Are These Longnose?

[pwmin]

I was told an LFS that I had never been to had some gars. I went there today and I'm thinking they are Longnose from what I've read, but I would like a conformation. They don't look like the gator gars that I've seen. They were labeled as "Florida Gars". The one has very bad coloration and they both look skinny and hungry.

Here's my dilemna. The store they were at is a small store and they were both about 7 inches in a 29 gallon tank. I hear the LN are one of the hardest gar species to take care of, but I would think that I would be a better caretaker than most people who come through that store. Also, from what I've read (correct me if I'm wrong), they get up to 2' pretty quickly and then eventually get up to 3 (in aquaria). I also don't have the ideal tank for one. I'm pretty sure I would have to grow it up before it could go in my 210 Long, but I have an 8" Texas and a 6" Male Jag in there that are very calm as far as Cichlids go. I will most likely be moving them inta 180 when my Jardini gets large enough. The rest of the fish are: 5" Frontosa, which I would probably have to move once the gar gets bigger because they are slow growing and would probably become gar food, 6" AT datnoid, 7" NTT dat, 10-12" Lima shovelnose, lapradei bichir and ornate bichir. I will also have a black arowana in there once it grows large enough.
I have near-future plans of upgrading to at least a 300 (8x2.5x2).

I think I have covered everything I can think of. So, if I would get one, do you think I'm doing the right thing or not? I just don't want it to end up into the hands of someone that can only have a 55. Thanks for the input.

Edit: forgot to add that I run the tank at about 80, which might be a little high. the pH of my tapwater is 7.5 and the parameters are usually 0/0/5 (nitrates being 5)

 

[Polypterus]

Yep Lepisosteus osseus (Longnosed)...... Case closed.... will get to feasibility in just a bit but you are not going to like what I say...

 

[demjor19]

Yep Lepisosteus osseus (Longnosed)...... Case closed.... will get to feasibility in just a bit but you are not going to like what I say...

asside from legality being an issue...these are def not a beginners gar. i am very excited to see that they are becomming available again though. ive been waiting to try another longnose for quite some time.

 

[pwmin]

Yep Lepisosteus osseus (Longnosed)...... Case closed.... will get to feasibility in just a bit but you are not going to like what I say...

I welcome your opinion and I have a feeling I know what you're going to say. They just look so bad in there and I hope someone that doesn't know what they're doing doesn't get them. I don't know exactly what I'm doing, either, but more than the average uninformed person :lol:

 

[pwmin]

asside from legality being an issue...these are def not a beginners gar. i am very excited to see that they are becomming available again though. ive been waiting to try another longnose for quite some time.

I live in Colorado, not California as you probably mistook my profile as saying. I'm just saying I'm dreaming of living there

The only illegal fish to possess in aquaria in Colorado are Federally banned species

 

[killerfish]

thought they were and they did look pretty skinny hmm so are long nose some what rare ? and for $25 thats not a bad price is it ? hope some one gets them there use to be 4 of them all were long nose i think but like Pwmin said it would be sad if they got sold to some one with a 55

 

[Polypterus]

I welcome your opinion and I have a feeling I know what you're going to say. They just look so bad in there and I hope someone that doesn't know what they're doing doesn't get them. I don't know exactly what I'm doing, either, but more than the average uninformed person :lol:

I tend to avoid opinion and stick with what we do know about these fish, their behavior and husbandry in a proven manner with clear evidence. (This seems to be something alien to many on these fish boards who spout very limited experience or Net surfing info as fact.. If opinion is given it will be clearly labeled as such)

The problem is with the future tankmates you have potentially residing with this fish. I do not suggest Gar with any large known to be territorial cichlid..(Aro's are not all that great either IMO) This time and time again fails or is living on the edge waiting to fail. With a Gar like a longnosed this is an even worse idea. The Temp is also way to high for a Longnosed.. I do not suggest keeping these fish for prolonged periods at that temp. If it can be dropped to the low 70's this would be much better for the fish.

 

[demjor19]

I tend to avoid opinion and stick with what we do know about these fish, their behavior and husbandry in a proven manner with clear evidence. (This seems to be something alien to many on these fish boards who spout very limited experience or Net surfing info as fact.. If opinion is given it will be clearly labeled as such)

The problem is with the future tankmates you have potentially residing with this fish. I do not suggest Gar with any large known to be territorial cichlid..(Aro's are not all that great either IMO) This time and time again fails or is living on the edge waiting to fail. With a Gar like a longnosed this is an even worse idea. The Temp is also way to high for a Longnosed.. I do not suggest keeping these fish for prolonged periods at that temp. If it can be dropped to the low 70's this would be much better for the fish.

interesting point. i have never heard this before, but it does make sense, since these fish are notoriously skittish and prone to self destruction. so are you saying an unheated tank (kept at an average household temp) would almost be ideal? i guess this shouldnt be surprising given the fact that they are a north american native. we learn something new everyday...

 

[pwmin]

I tend to avoid opinion and stick with what we do know about these fish, their behavior and husbandry in a proven manner with clear evidence. (This seems to be something alien to many on these fish boards who spout very limited experience or Net surfing info as fact.. If opinion is given it will be clearly labeled as such)

The problem is with the future tankmates you have potentially residing with this fish. I do not suggest Gar with any large known to be territorial cichlid..(Aro's are not all that great either IMO) This time and time again fails or is living on the edge waiting to fail. With a Gar like a longnosed this is an even worse idea. The Temp is also way to high for a Longnosed.. I do not suggest keeping these fish for prolonged periods at that temp. If it can be dropped to the low 70's this would be much better for the fish.

I didn't mean to insult you or anything by saying "opinion". I know you wouldn't give any unfounded information as "fact".

I have no problem getting rid of the Texas (it was a rescue) and would get rid of the jag if it got aggressive at all, but I don't think I should drop the temp below 78. If it was a florida/spotted, I would probably be better off. I'm not set on getting this fish, so I won't if that is the consensus. Hopefully, they will go to a good home.

 

[TheFishWrestler]

Yes those are longnosed. I keep mine with a black aro and polys at 79 degrees, but I think I have just been lucky. My aro is very docile, but as with all fish it is a case by case basis. Also, you need to be ready for them to grow really fast. Mine has grown from 6-7" to 15" in 3 months. Just for comparison that is 1/2" a week.