Gar and Cichlid in 275?

[Loshmitchell101]

I am thinking about buying a shortnose gar, or spotted gar for my 275 I have a couple of cichlids a 22'' silver arowana and 12'' lima shovelnose, What are you guys experience with keeping these guys with cichlids and maybe even a silver aro? Also what would be a good choice for size in maybe even a smaller tank if they dont get a long a i have a 120 gallon long

 

[Bderick67]

In this thread here; Stocking question for the pro's the "pro's" pretty much said gar with a silver aro is a big risk. No experience myself, but I believe from what I've heard big cichlids are also a no go.

 

[screaminleeman]

Your gar will not be happy with bigger cichlids. The Gar are stealth predators and will not allow the gar time to catch live feeders fish. If you train your gar to accept thawed fish/ shrimp from a skewer, you still will have to battle with keeping the cichlids at bey.

I do have my two small (Just under a foot) Alligator Gars in with a Red Bay Snook, but this seems to be working only because the snook does not view thawed fish/ shrimp as a food source for whatever reason.

It is a pellet maniac though. Like I said, with these three fish even at this juvinile stage, I have to put around a dozen feeder fish in at a time in order to get one or two to the Gars!

 

[jsodwi]

I have 4 big gars and 2 aros along with a bunch of other fish. They all live fine with each other. During feeding time they all get a little excited though and sometimes come out with some nipped fins. It may take a little bit to get the gar eating good with the aro at first since aros attack pretty quickly during feeding. You may have to feed aro on one sise of tank and try to drop the food on the gars head on the other side to ensure that he eats.

 

[Madding]

I will say that pike cichlids seem to be very good tankmates with gar, in my experience anyways. I also think Connor keeps this combo with no issues.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

no cichlids, no aro and no catfish.

if u want to try it be prepared to most likly eventually lose ur gar. U might be one of the lucky ones but dont count on it

 

[piggy67]

Not a good idea IMO but all fish have their own personality and it may work for you or it may not resulting in death. I wouldnt risk it ...

 

[jworth]

no cichlids, no aro and no catfish.

if u want to try it be prepared to most likly eventually lose ur gar. U might be one of the lucky ones but dont count on it

Now, i do agree that cichlids arent good tankmates, but why would you say no aros or cats?

 

[Madding]

Now, i do agree that cichlids arent good tankmates, but why would you say no aros or cats?

Aro's are a bit too aggressive for gars. Many of us do the combo but it's really a risk. I'd say it increases the chance of your aro or gar jumping about 50% due to the aggressive nature during feeding. And if your tank is jump-proof there is still the problem of spine damage from running into the glass... arowana's like to steal food from gars mouths. It is scary to watch.

Catfish I don't see the problem with... maybe he means big species that will outgrow a young gar and try to eat it...

 

[peewee]

i have a florida gar and a green arowana together in the same tank for around a year now. they are in harmony, not to mention that there are also other tankmates including some cichlids (green terrors, oscars, and blood parrots), i don't know but works for me.