Fancy getting a gar or two?

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waynes world

waynes world

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 12, 2010
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North Manchester UK
Hi all, i have been looking into getting a few gars but cant decide which to go for, i am in the UK so not all are availabe. I have seen a few spotted gar but thats all they were named by in the LFS so i left alone.

I have a 150g at the minute but soon will be building a 450g, in the tank at the minute is 2 rays (6) 3 dollars (2) 1 TSNCxRTC (3) and a silver arowana (4). The rays and hybrid cat , maybe the aro will be going into the 1500g in about 12 months when i build that one, and it depends on the size of gar they mite stay in either tank.

What would you suggest what gar to go for?

wayne:)
 
I DO NOT recommend gator gar to anyone that does not have an outdoor pond that holds at proper temps year round and then only after LARGE amounts of research. Gator gar grow to enormous sizes.
If you are looking for gar that will top out in the two foot range go with florida gar if you can handle gar in the 4-6 ft (IE 7ft by 7ft by 5 ft deep, at a minimum, tank size) range you can look at spotted gar if you are considering gator gar they can and do grow to 10 ft or more. Also I am a gar enthusiast but not an expert. There are many experts on this site that will likely chime in over the next week or so please make no decisions until those with much more experience than the couple years I have chime in. Although I believe, while my sizes may be off slightly off, those with years of experience will likely suggest the same I have as these are wonderful animals that require some specialized care and surroundings to do well.
 
I have to second the recomendation NOT to get the gator gar, a florida would be a better choice. The max out around 2ft in captivity. Since true spotted gars are rare in the hobby, the gars you have seen are most likely florida gars.

As far as tankmates the silver dollars are not really a good tankmate. Gars tend to attach silvery fish. There is also a lot of mixed opinions about housing gars with arows and catfish.
 
Thanks for the replys, i will definatley NOT be getting a gator gar, mite aswell get a crocadile if i did...saying tyhat i have fancied a camen LOL.

Anyway, i just got back from the LFS and they have 4 spotted gar and at £40 each i didnt bother they were around 8 inch but i have seen others at a better price, also 2 looked a bit unwell, one looked like its back was bent, as in broke:eek: .

The florida sound good, any other types i could go for that get a bit bigger or would the tank of around 11 x 6 x 4 be to small for them with the other fish?

I have seen many a tank setup with the mix of aro`s and gars on the internet, but as some will say theres a difference in seeing them together and them actualy getting on.

wayne:)

Quick edit

Whats the opinons on keeping gars with aro`s and TSNXRT catfish?
 
Gars are prone to breaking their back, something to keep in mind when purchasing them so good call on passing them by. Hopefully someone with more experience with the other gar species can chime in as far as sizes and growth, I only have experience with floridas and gators. Are the dimensions of the pond in feet? If so I would think you shouldn't have problems with the arow. I would be a ;ittle worried still about the rtcxtsn. I've seen some of my cats eat some surprisingly large meals.
You have the right idea as far as arows and gars. As far as catfish and gars, the main reasons for the combo to be avoided are the catfish outcompeting the gar, and the catfish spooking the gar, which can result in a broken back.
 
Yes the sizes are in feet, i am starting to build the 7x4x3 soon and the bigger tank next year, the RTCXTSN will be going in the big tank 11x6x4 so the gars could stay in the 7x4x3, if its big enough to home them when fully grown.
 
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