Gar feeding changes due to temperature?

[Conner]

I guess this is more a question for Sol or Peje.

At what temperatures do gar slow down or stop feeding completely? The shortnose and spotted gars out in my pond seem to have either slowed down on feeding, or stopped completely.

The last time I checked the water temps, the surface was about 65F. I didn't have a thermometer to check the deeper water column.

They still seem to be active, swimming around. But they don't seem to be demolishing feeders like they used to. I put 200 feeders in about 2 weeks ago, and there's still probably half of them left (usually they would have been gone in about 48 hours).


Also, at what temps should I consider bringing the gar back inside? We may be moving in the next couple months, so I might need to bring them back in now, versus when the water is even colder in December or January...

 

[Polypterus]

I guess this is more a question for Sol or Peje.

At what temperatures do gar slow down or stop feeding completely? The shortnose and spotted gars out in my pond seem to have either slowed down on feeding, or stopped completely.

The last time I checked the water temps, the surface was about 65F. I didn't have a thermometer to check the deeper water column.

They still seem to be active, swimming around. But they don't seem to be demolishing feeders like they used to. I put 200 feeders in about 2 weeks ago, and there's still probably half of them left (usually they would have been gone in about 48 hours).


Also, at what temps should I consider bringing the gar back inside? We may be moving in the next couple months, so I might need to bring them back in now, versus when the water is even colder in December or January...

Gars drastically slow feeding around the 65 F mark, but it should also be noted that those in ponds or when frequently exposed to natural light cycles they will also just begin to slow as daylight decreases regardless of temp. This is an odd thing that we have observed in many cases with them.

You may want to bring them in now if you will be moving in the winter. Moving these fish in coldwater conditions is tricky as you have to be very careful about temp fluctuations. Easier just to keep them above or around the 65F point in this case.

 

[E_americanus]

experimental results show that spotted gars will stop feeding around 60F (in terms of YOY fish, but also likely relates to similarly sized juveniles that may be yearling fish). they can survive, but if they don't have enough fat reserves they will waste away in time (matter of months).

as richard suggested, if you are bringing them inside, bring them inside soon--
--solomon

EDIT: related to this, we found that fin regeneration stops at this temperature (could be slightly above), and therefore suggests that most replication also ceases at this point (or at least very drastically slows).

 

[Conner]

I thought it would be something like that.

The timeline for moving has probably been moved back to February or even march, but I may go ahead and bring them back in, if I can catch them.

The only problem is they'd have to go back into my 125g tank, as the 220g got moved out to my parents to store until we can move. Maybe I can set it up out at their house and put the gars out there. Could they take being fed 1-2 times a week for a couple months?

 

[E_americanus]

I thought it would be something like that.

The timeline for moving has probably been moved back to February or even march, but I may go ahead and bring them back in, if I can catch them.

The only problem is they'd have to go back into my 125g tank, as the 220g got moved out to my parents to store until we can move. Maybe I can set it up out at their house and put the gars out there. Could they take being fed 1-2 times a week for a couple months?

yeah, that feeding regime should work just fine--
--solomon

 

[Conner]

Alright, I'll talk to my parents and see if I can set the tank up over there. I'll just have to go out every weekend to feed, unless my parents feel up to the task...