Gar newbie

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Guppies are good.. but at the gators size he'd be needing a few breeder tanks to satisfy the gars appetitie. I know my Florida when he was young mowed threw 50+ minnows a week or more. But I also believe live foods also helped his growth rate.

+1 to convicts..

PS - as tempting as it may be to hand-feed your gar I reccomend tweezers when young then tongs.. I look to Gar and most the large fish like I did when I kept large reptiles. Just because it may not show aggression to you, don't mean it doesn't have the means to do damage.
 
here are pics of Captain Happy. <-- that's his name.

i don't know, maybe it's just my imagination but i think he's gone quite bigger or longer since i bought him.

here's a pic of him on the day i bought him.
IMG00335-20101021-1648.jpg


and here are pics i've taken just this morning
IMG00349-20101025-1040.jpg

IMG00348-20101025-1039.jpg


i've turned off the tank lights again.
i think i bought a light that is too bright for him.
i noticed that when the lights are on, he rarely swims around, and just usually hiding/sitting behind the log displays, kinda like hiding from the light.
and when he hunts for the feeders, there's a lot of times that he misses and the feeder gets away.
but when the lights are turned off he almost never misses.
i think my computer lights are enough for him right now, and i'll just buy some small lights when i get the time.

p.s.
i really really really appreciate all the tips from you guys, thank you :)
and this site is a treasure trove of knowledge.
 
Since you went with a gator, I would save your money and not worry about getting a light for your aquarium. And it's not your imagination, your gar is growing right before your eyes. You picked the largest growing gar species to start out with and if fed properly it will out grow your 20L in a matter for months if not shorter.
 
^
yes. just now debating with myself whether i'll build a pond or just simple buy a large tank.
what do you think is better for a gator?
and money isn't a problem, i can buy some lightings for the tank :)

and in case he outgrows my 20g long before the pond or large tank is built.
i have a reserve 75g for him, just have to get it in our other house.

and following your advise on the earlier page, i'll use the 20g as a tank to breed feeders like convicts.
 
Looks really cool man. I've also recently been interested and might get one soon. Saw some at a LFS for $8 a piece. Probably 3-4" atm. Not too sure what type they are. Anyway, wonderful gar you got there!
 
^
thanks :)
he was around 5-6" when i got him, for 10$
5 days ago.. looks like he gained some length since then.

post some pics when you get the gar! ^^ (also we can help you ID the gar you're buying)
would be nice to have a fellow garnewbie to discuss with about progress and stuff.
 
Cheesetian;4578784; said:
How big's your tank at the moment?
Click to expand...

he's in a 20g long right now following the advice of redwarf on the earlier pages, so the tank wouldn't look empty.

after a week with me though, it seems that my gator has gained at least 1"
so i need to hurry up with the pond since he seems to grow really fast.
i want to transfer him there before he reaches 9" or 10"
 
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