Gar temperature tolerance question

[CTU2fan]

So I'm seriously considering doing the "ghetto pond" thing either now (if I can find a dirt cheap clearance pool) or in the spring. Here's the question...I'm in Florida and I have what I'm pretty sure is a Florida gar so you'd think outside all year round would be just fine. My question is, if I set up an aboveground pond that's 2.5-3' deep it's likely to get pretty warm in the summer. I don't plan to set this up in full sun but still, I wouldn't be surprised to see it get in the high 80s during the day. Will it be too hot for the gar? Of course the high temp won't be permanent, and the pond will cool some at night etc. Just wondering if this is viable, because if not I'll just concentrate on a tank upgrade and keep him indoors.

Also if anyone has a suggestion(s) about pondmates (other than more gar) I'm all ears. Seems most of the stuff that gets suggested re: tankmates (poly's, dats, aro's) aren't going to work year-round in my pond. I'm looking for natives that will work well with the gar.

 

[ctoychik]

You might want to consider some sort of cover anyway. It does not need to be an all out roof but a fine mesh or something in order to reduce expose to the sun - just a thought.

Catfish would be ok with your florida. Marble pim is quite nicely patterned and not too huge

 

[justink]

They can handle pretty diverse temperature. can handle pretty warm water. only problem i consider is the water warming to a higher temperature and then dropping rapidly at night if it gets cold? constant temperature change could stress them

 

[channarox]

if theyre native to your area,i dont see why they would get stressed.
but of course consider a shaded area where the gars can hide so they dont get overheated.
im not too sure about natives,but what about more gars?

 

[CTU2fan]

Well more gars for sure I think it will get too cold in winter for any pims or other tropical fish. If it doesn't get TOO cold I might consider trying heating it, and keeping some more tropical type fish (maybe an arowana).

I've got a shady spot that will work, it will get morning sun which is fine as that will warm it some in the cooler months. I'm going to have to put some kind of cover over it though, to keep the gar from jumping and keep out some of the leaves.

 

[demjor19]

If it's a large/deep enough volume of water the fish should be fine. Having more of a water volume will help buffer the temperature fluctuation. What part of Florida are you in?

 

[CTU2fan]

Central Florida, near Daytona. I'm coastal, so it seems to not get quite as hot in summer or cold in winter as it does inland.

 

[aggressor09]

They can handle pretty diverse temperature. can handle pretty warm water. only problem i consider is the water warming to a higher temperature and then dropping rapidly at night if it gets cold? constant temperature change could stress them

Agreed. Not sure how much the temp changes from day to night in your location though.
Also, as already said, definately get a heat-reflective cover going on.