No,not at all.... if u find ur Gar on the surface some time then take a tooth pick and then put a small piece of raw fish or shrimp on the tooth pick and hold it near itz mouth. This works almost always. if it still does not eat try shaking it and moving it around its mouth(slowly). this has worked with almost every gar i've had. Do this only when the gar is at the surface. Also dont do this right infront of the gar(it may get scared).