So, do you think it would be okay for me to buy him now, and upgrade later? I should have time to save up for this swimming pool he's going to need?
Florida Gar
- Thread starter SinisterKisses
- Start date
So, do you think it would be okay for me to buy him now, and upgrade later? I should have time to save up for this swimming pool he's going to need?
how big is the gar right now? their growth rate is a good deal faster than spotted gars, which are the general gar-of-reference for most fishkeepers since its by far the most commonly availabe specie.
I really don't think it would safely be kept in a 55g if it was 4" now for 8 months, if even that. It'd likely hit a foot in SIX months, and a 55g is only 11" wide on the inside. Gars aren't eels by any means so I think that poses a serious problem.
of course, this is assuming the gar at the lfs really is a florida gar; higher chance its a spotted that's been mislabeled.
I really don't think it would safely be kept in a 55g if it was 4" now for 8 months, if even that. It'd likely hit a foot in SIX months, and a 55g is only 11" wide on the inside. Gars aren't eels by any means so I think that poses a serious problem.
of course, this is assuming the gar at the lfs really is a florida gar; higher chance its a spotted that's been mislabeled.
Hmm...well, its already about 7". What's the easiest way to tell the difference between a florida gar, and a spotted gar? Maybe I'll go in and see if I can tell the difference...heck, maybe I'll convince them to let me take a pic of it, if they know I'm considering buying it. If it does turn out to be a spotted gar, what kind of difference would that make, in terms of growth rate and tank size, etc?
it's almost impossible to know the difference. don't bother trying to figure it out, because the chances are, YOU CAN'T TELL.
the question is, WHEN, can you get a bigger tank?
I've kept about 5 different gars and honestly I don't think a 12" wide tank can hold the gar much longer than 4-5 months.
the question is, WHEN, can you get a bigger tank?
I've kept about 5 different gars and honestly I don't think a 12" wide tank can hold the gar much longer than 4-5 months.
keep in mind 55g is 12" on the OUTSIDE, inside its more like 11"....
it prolly is a spotted gar anyway dude, and spotteds are common in lfses, don't freak about not getting this one, hold off till you get the tank to keep one first and then go looking for one; this will hardly be the last gar you'll see.
it prolly is a spotted gar anyway dude, and spotteds are common in lfses, don't freak about not getting this one, hold off till you get the tank to keep one first and then go looking for one; this will hardly be the last gar you'll see.
Well, that's the thing...they are NOT common here, at all. Let me put it this way...this is the first time I've ever even seen one, in about 12 years of keeping fish. Oh well, guess I'll have to chalk it up to a lost cause. Thanks for all your help though.
based on what's listed in your signature, I don't think the gar will make a good tankmate anyway.
those cichlids will either get eaten OR the cichlids will beat the crap out of the gar.
those cichlids will either get eaten OR the cichlids will beat the crap out of the gar.
