Black Spots On Gator Gar -Help-

[Gar keeper]

Hello all,

Long time lurker, but just signed up tonight because I have a valid question.
I was lured to this site because of my passion for the creature known as the "Gar". I am prejudice against no species of this magnificent fish. I own 5 needlenose gar (Asian needlefish), 1 spotted gar and 1 Alligator gar.
I am looking to acquire a Florida and tropical gar as well.
However today my question comes in regards to my Gator Gar (and yes i've read about how big they get and all the BS that rookies get yelled at for on here and yes I can support him).
I have had him for just about a year and he is truly a magnificent specimen. He sleeps right next to us and literally sleeps (lays on the bottom) with us and when we get up he is right at the top looking for food. He is very lively and super aggressive. He's about 2' long and he eats goldfish, mice, small rats, KFC, and any meat leftovers that we have...He eats chicken, beef, pork etc... When I get home he's right there at the edge of the tank waiting for me. He is VERY keen to what is going on outside the tank. My girlfriend says he like a dog, when she talks about him to other people she says "I had no idea I could feel this way about a fish, he's like a dog that live in the water".
Pretty much a very healthy fish...
However within the last 2 weeks I've noticed what looks like 2 dark spots becoming darker. One near his head, and one near his tail. The more I look at them the more one of them looks like it has a "fuzz" on it, like it's some kinda growth. However at the same time they could just be really dark spots. The only thing is they would be more like birth marks because there are only 2 of them and they stand out more than any other spots. I attached pics for help. I appreciate any help in advance. Especially any advice from "Polypterus", "Gator" or "E_americanus". Thanks again

 

[E_americanus]

they look like just anomalous pattern marks to me...i wouldn't be concerned with them unless you start to notice they are raised up on the surface of the fish, as opposed to just being pigment.
keep us updated if things change, but i would just consider this part of the changing pattern on the fish as it continues to grow.
i would however, advise against some of the foods you're giving to the gar...particularly the terrestrial proteins...and especially KFC. fish don't process fatty foods the same way or as well as we do, and enough of this material build up in the fish could very well kill it quite prematurely (Richard and I did a necropsy on a $5000 white tropical gar that likely died from those sort of issues).

again, nothing to be worried about with the spots at this point in time (in my opinion). thanks for providing pics as they always help with a diagnosis! good luck with your fish--
--solomon

 

[Gar keeper]

they look like just anomalous pattern marks to me...i wouldn't be concerned with them unless you start to notice they are raised up on the surface of the fish, as opposed to just being pigment.
keep us updated if things change, but i would just consider this part of the changing pattern on the fish as it continues to grow.
i would however, advise against some of the foods you're giving to the gar...particularly the terrestrial proteins...and especially KFC. fish don't process fatty foods the same way or as well as we do, and enough of this material build up in the fish could very well kill it quite prematurely (Richard and I did a necropsy on a $5000 white tropical gar that likely died from those sort of issues).

again, nothing to be worried about with the spots at this point in time (in my opinion). thanks for providing pics as they always help with a diagnosis! good luck with your fish--
--solomon

Well, as far as the "Human foods", I don't give it just any old chicken. I always make sure if I give it human food that it's throughly rinsed and if it has any type of coating/flavor then then tear/wash it off. Usually my girls cooks with organic chicken breasts and I cut right off before she starts to work her magic with it. So it's pretty raw and fresh, just like he would get in nature. In all honestly we don't feed him human food that often.
Anyways, I appreciate the immediate feedback and you can trust I will be on top of this ****. There are only 2 spots as of now and they are not out of control yet, but I will keep a close eye on things. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and go to work and then refresh this page to see the responses I get. Thanks Again... Gar Power

 

[uting]

How big is your tank? it loos small to me

 

[channarox]

looks a bit cramped.
nice gator otherwise.
i wouldnt be too worried.

 

[Polypterus]

I concur with Solomon that the spots are nothing to worry about. Couple questions though:
1. Did they just show up or was this a gradual process
2. What is your water temp like?

I also have to say I'm a bit concerned about the diet of the fish as it is a bit on the terrestrial meat side and a bit on the fatty side. Gars are not really designed to live on a sustained diet of terrestrial food items. Fish and shellfish products are a bit better for it's long term health. You can still give it the other stuff... Just give it as a treat and not so much as a staple.

 

[Gar keeper]

I concur with Solomon that the spots are nothing to worry about. Couple questions though:
1. Did they just show up or was this a gradual process
2. What is your water temp like?

1. Too tell you the truth I'm not 100% sure, I am pretty sure they kinda just showed up, but I noticed them because right now that tank has a snail problem and I thought they were snails that were clinging to him. Only lately did I notice they might be getting a little darker so that's why I posted this question. I will be keeping an eye on things.

2. The temp in that particular tank is not very warm because it's right by a window and the heater I had for it broke and I've been too lazy to replace because he's going to a bigger tank soon. I would have to say it's around 65-70.

I ran out of aquarium salt so I used some "sea salt" when I did a water change yesterday. I hope this is OK to use, I figured it would be because it's sea salt. I'm pretty sure it's the same thing. Let me know what you think.

As far as the human foods, it is really only used like a treat. His main diet is goldfish and mice etc... However if we have a slab of raw chicken or some fresh shrimp, then we rinse it very well and then present to him.
He is trained to come to the top for feeding when I tap my ring on the rim of the tank. I will try to post some vids later.

 

[xander]

As far as the human foods, it is really only used like a treat. His main diet is goldfish and mice etc... However if we have a slab of raw chicken or some fresh shrimp, then we rinse it very well and then present to him.
He is trained to come to the top for feeding when I tap my ring on the rim of the tank. I will try to post some vids later.

goldfish is fatty, and as all lfs feeders basically are, they are also parasite and diesase prone. so it's best if you do not use them as staple diet. mammal protein is actually bad for fish, and chicken isn't great either. so you really shouldn't be feeding mice to it. on the other hand, shrimp is the way to go. you should give it a mixed diet of shrimp, smelt, whole fish. if you want, occasionally(although it is unneceessary) some feeders.

btw..KFC?! that's kind of like giving chocolates to dogs isn't it.

 

[Gar keeper]

goldfish is fatty, and as all lfs feeders basically are, they are also parasite and diesase prone. so it's best if you do not use them as staple diet. mammal protein is actually bad for fish, and chicken isn't great either. so you really shouldn't be feeding mice to it. on the other hand, shrimp is the way to go. you should give it a mixed diet of shrimp, smelt, whole fish. if you want, occasionally(although it is unneceessary) some feeders.

Thanks for the feedback, however I believe that Gator Gars will eat birds in the wild so I don't see why Chicken would be bad for it. Especially since he doesn't have to deal with bones and skull Also as far as the goldfish from the lfs having disease and parasites, I think that is a good thing. I want his immune system to stay strong. It's like how we as humans have all these Disinfectants liquids and anti this and that, it keeps our immune system weak and therefore we are not as strong. This guy I train Jiu-Jitsu with, he only drinks tap water. I think it's pretty rough to do, but he says it makes him stronger. Also if he ever goes somewhere and they don't have prissy bottled water then he will be just fine. Plus he saves a bunch of money. Basically my point is that I don't want a foo-foo fish that I have to pamper give special treatment. That's why I love the gator gar, in the wild they can live in pretty much piss-poor conditions and thrive like the beast they are. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have him sitting in a tank of waterwaste but I also don't get very detailed with his water quality. This keeps him strong and in case of an emergency he wouldn't be stressed if I had to throw him in a tub of pure tap water. I feel the same way with food, I want him to have an open (and also safe) diet. I don't want to train him to eat freggin sticks of freeze dried crap or whatever, he is a carnivorous animal and should be treated as such. I don't feed him fried foods, or anything sweet or fatty. Just raw chicken, beef, fish and shrimp.

Anyways, I don't want to get off topic here, I can start another thread about feeding these creatures. Right now I am mostly concerned with these 2 black spots on my boy.

 

[gigas12]

Hi,nice gator,how big is your tank?