Broken Back Prevention with Gars!!!

[E_americanus]

i've never seen a 6x2x2 tank, only the 8x2x2. is it a common size?

6 x 2 x 2 is one of the most common big tank sizes in the US...it's your basic 180g tank--
--solomon

 

[SimonL]

^^ I agree, after years at a LFS, I've never seen a 8x2x2. We have 7x2.5x2 (275g), which is about the biggest "standard" size. Soon to be getting in 2' high, 3' wide tanks as standard sized though! Comes in 3' to 7' lengths...

 

[demjor19]

6 x 2 x 2 is one of the most common big tank sizes in the US...it's your basic 180g tank--
--solomon

yep...i'm staring at one now.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

I once had a gar break its back in my 180g.

6 x 2 x 2

 

[demjor19]

I once had a gar break its back in my 180g.

6 x 2 x 2

no matter what tank they are kept in there is a chance that they could still break their back. it is just one of the cons of keeping these fiish.

 

[rednhot]

ok...hold on, i'm not disagreeing with you, but just to clarify...are we talking glass or plexi? i'm talking glass and i've never owned a plexi. it's just my preference to own glass. this being said, you will realize that i am ignorant to std sizes, if there is any difference, of plexi tanks. seriously though i often see the 8x2x2 which is the 240. lol, i do own an oldball grow tank that is 4'x4'x21", if i calculate right its a 210.

 

[demjor19]

ok...hold on, i'm not disagreeing with you, but just to clarify...are we talking glass or plexi? i'm talking glass and i've never owned a plexi. it's just my preference to own glass. this being said, you will realize that i am ignorant to std sizes, if there is any difference, of plexi tanks. seriously though i often see the 8x2x2 which is the 240. lol, i do own an oldball grow tank that is 4'x4'x21", if i calculate right its a 210.

my 6 x 2 x 2 is glass.

 

[rednhot]

ok enuff about tank sizes...what activity would be the most likely to cause a gar to injure itself, feeding, being skitish of outside movement, interaction with tank mates, or tank size restricions...is there something i missed? what precautions other that feeding changes have you or would you take to prevent this? this question is to all watching not just one person.

 

[E_americanus]

turning the lights on and off can definitely do it sometimes...may not break their backs every time, but it can put them into "fast-start" mode. someone running up to the tank can also do this. it helps to have lights on a timer, or at the very least not to turn them on and off in too short a timeframe. also having people be somewhat aware of the fish being skittish and not bounding up to the tank also helps.

with some species, such as shortnose gars, they are extremely skittish by nature (or at least their behavior in captivity is this way), so taking all necessary precautions could still lead to a broken back. --
--solomon

 

[demjor19]

turning the lights on and off can definitely do it sometimes...may not break their backs every time, but it can put them into "fast-start" mode. someone running up to the tank can also do this. it helps to have lights on a timer, or at the very least not to turn them on and off in too short a timeframe. also having people be somewhat aware of the fish being skittish and not bounding up to the tank also helps.

with some species, such as shortnose gars, they are extremely skittish by nature (or at least their behavior in captivity is this way), so taking all necessary precautions could still lead to a broken back. --
--solomon

the biggest issue i have noticed (with my gar) is sudden movement around the tank. turning the lights on or off havent triggered any crazy behavior (again...with my gar). obviously all fish are different and different things will spook them.