Gar q's

[nitrofish1]

any species but gator could live in there for quite some time (life in cases of some species). for tankmates go with bichirs, African bonytongue, SALungfish/AULungfish.--
--solomon

I am very familiar with the african arowana. did plenty of research into their care a while back. they are an interesting bunch.

but how many gars? they will prolly be spotted gars. hear cubans are hard to get a hold of. longnose gars would be my number one choice though.

 

[xander]

5-8 gars would be alright in there for a good while

 

[nitrofish1]

5-8 gars would be alright in there for a good while

well dang~! couple of longnose and some spotted?

 

[Polypterus]

but how many gars? they will prolly be spotted gars. hear cubans are hard to get a hold of.

Spotteds are just as difficult unless you really try... Your not getting them from an LFS

 

[nitrofish1]

Spotteds are just as difficult unless you really try... Your not getting them from an LFS

they have gars at a LFS, yet I dont believe that they are accurately ID'd. but i think a tank of 8'x4'x30" would be more suited for longnoses. and with that 600g tank, id say 3 longnose and 4 spotted.

where do you find your gar at? vendors here on MFK?

 

[Polypterus]

where do you find your gar at? vendors here on MFK?

With few exceptions NO.. I catch and raise them myself or spend a crap load of time working with others to get known locality fish.

Expecting an LFS to have a particular fish with a correct ID is about as useful in practice as marketing a turd flavored lollypop... Rarely going to work except for a few freaks.

 

[E_americanus]

With few exceptions NO.. I catch and raise them myself or spend a crap load of time working with others to get known locality fish.

Expecting an LFS to have a particular fish with a correct ID is about as useful in practice as marketing a turd flavored lollypop... Rarely going to work except for a few freaks.

agreed.

nitro, i would substitute Florida gars (look generally the same...for hobbyist intents and purposes...as spots in most respects and are much more frequently available) for spotted gars, and then go with your longnose plan. should be fine, although longnoses are quite prone to idiopathic death once they get past the juvenile stage...not to mention are second in the back-breaking competition after shortnoses. just some things to keep in mind--
--solomon

 

[nitrofish1]

agreed.

nitro, i would substitute Florida gars (look generally the same...for hobbyist intents and purposes...as spots in most respects and are much more frequently available) for spotted gars, and then go with your longnose plan. should be fine, although longnoses are quite prone to idiopathic death once they get past the juvenile stage...not to mention are second in the back-breaking competition after shortnoses. just some things to keep in mind--
--solomon

is there any way to prevent this back breaking ordeal? no pun intended..... r these a type of fish that would do well with always having a light on so they are not as startled when you turn the lights on?

 

[E_americanus]

is there any way to prevent this back breaking ordeal? no pun intended..... r these a type of fish that would do well with always having a light on so they are not as startled when you turn the lights on?

floating plants for cover go a long way, and using timers for lights helps too...another technique that i have found useful is to have the timers go on shortly after sunrise, that way there is already a transitional period of light in the room, not a stark contrast/shock between darkness and light conditions.

longnoses aren't nearly as bad as shortnoses, so provided cover and not having people bound over to the tank or make sudden movements, the fish should be ok.--
--solomon

 

[nitrofish1]

floating plants for cover go a long way, and using timers for lights helps too...another technique that i have found useful is to have the timers go on shortly after sunrise, that way there is already a transitional period of light in the room, not a stark contrast/shock between darkness and light conditions.

longnoses aren't nearly as bad as shortnoses, so provided cover and not having people bound over to the tank or make sudden movements, the fish should be ok.--
--solomon

someone said that catsfish make good tankmates for gars? if not the bichir would be a wise choice. is there a size comparison of when the bichir should be added to avoid being eaten or vice versa?