Gars in a 55gal?

[Polypterus]

As many times as I've heard "bent/broken spine" stories of young gars in small tanks, I'll no longer ever recommend small footprint tanks as grow-out vessels for true gars.

In most cases I read... it is more often the case where a small fish is placed in a tank much too large for it that you get the broken back issues. Smaller tanks for small gars actually is the better way to go than place them quickly in large tanks...This is NOT me saying you should keep large fish in small tanks..This is me saying that it is best to slowly step up tank size as the fish grows. Gars are elongate torpedo shaped fish they have a very hard time slowing when they hit a fast start in response to some type of stimulus. Put them in a large tank they build up momentum that is enough to cause serious injury (this is especially true in the conventional rectangular tanks with flat sides)

Gars are not that inflexible of fish...Actually they are no more inflexible that any other fish of their body type. It is actually the large head and snout of the fish that reduces their turning ability. They take just a bit more to complete a circle than a typical fish does due to this. I have had 18 inch Longnosed gar that where temporarily being held in 18 inch tanks Hit a fast C start and turn quickly and easily in the space available.

 

[E_americanus]

In most cases I read... it is more often the case where a small fish is placed in a tank much too large for it that you get the broken back issues. Smaller tanks for small gars actually is the better way to go than place them quickly in large tanks...This is NOT me saying you should keep large fish in small tanks..This is me saying that it is best to slowly step up tank size as the fish grows. Gars are elongate torpedo shaped fish they have a very hard time slowing when they hit a fast start in response to some type of stimulus. Put them in a large tank they build up momentum that is enough to cause serious injury (this is especially true in the conventional rectangular tanks with flat sides)

Gars are not that inflexible of fish...Actually they are no more inflexible that any other fish of their body type. It is actually the large head and snout of the fish that reduces their turning ability. They take just a bit more to complete a circle than a typical fish does due to this. I have had 18 inch Longnosed gar that where temporarily being held in 18 inch tanks Hit a fast C start and turn quickly and easily in the space available.

i completely agree and have found this to be true as well...of course, it helps that we are able to get together and discuss this for hours on end about once every other month

i have had more issues with smaller gars 'prematurely' moved to larger enclosures and breaking their backs than vice versa...in fact, i have not had this happen to a gar in a small tank, only in the large ones. shortnoses do it like clockwork, and it's not just species-specific...t-gars can do it too.

again, this is not saying that gars should be kept in a small tank by any means...we are merely suggesting a step-wise progression of tank size as a viable alternative, and one that we have used that works.

and yes, gars are actually pretty flexible...it's their extremely bony & bony-plated skulls that add the extra bit of rigidity to the fish--
--solomon

 

[Oddball]

Yet, my experiences yield spinal injuries to young gars in a 60, a 120, and a 180. Once I started placing young gars in my 450s and 650, I've never seen an accident/injury of any of the 12 gars placed in the large tanks. Guess it's who you ask. Kooky.

 

[vanimate]

i have had more issues with smaller gars 'prematurely' moved to larger enclosures and breaking their backs than vice versa...in fact, i have not had this happen to a gar in a small tank, only in the large ones. shortnoses do it like clockwork, and it's not just species-specific...t-gars can do it too.

Solomon, or Oddball
Is a 7 inch SN gar too little to be moved into a 6ft tank? I was going to move him this weekend, Im glad I caught this thread first.
Thanks
Ed

 

[E_americanus]

Solomon, or Oddball
Is a 7 inch SN gar too little to be moved into a 6ft tank? I was going to move him this weekend, Im glad I caught this thread first.
Thanks
Ed

SN are the most skittish of the gars IME and in discussion with many other gar-keepers. i would keep it in a smaller tank for as long as you can (within reason of course). what size tank is it in now? i have had SN's break their backs without fail when moved to a larger tank...i moved a 14" fish to a 270g and he broke his back within 24 hours. now, that is really fast, but SN's and big tanks (too early on) just don't mix.

phil,

i agree that everyone goes through different circumstances with their fishes...with your larger tanks, are those really big ones you are referencing round stock tanks or standard rectangle? this should also play a larger factor--
--solomon

 

[Polypterus]

Really I can only count on one hand the number of gars I have lost to a spinal injury and I have a good 200 some fish that have crossed my path in six of the seven species plus a few hybrids. All of these that have been affected have been shortnosed with one being a longnosed.

Experiences do vary..This I take as fact.

Looking at the information available though I have personally had few to no issues with a gradual stepped method whereas many have repeated issues with other methods that place the fish in large tanks while still young. I read often that when this is done the outcome is not good...Myself I do not do this and instead raise the tank size based on the fishes size and also it's activity level. I can not advise how to do this as it is just instinctual to me. I just move the fish up when it is clear that it is needed and is safe. There are variables here that do not fit a standard catch all. Careful montoring of behavior and the fishes overall activity level, feeding etc. all play a role.

Gars are really trickier fish to keep than many assume they are. You do not need to stress yourself over details but you do need to be aware of many little cues or behaviors that can make a big problem if you ignore them. Often these little details are species specific. Many in keeping gar take a cookie cutter approach and really this is a bad idea. As Solomon and I have now discussed in depth on many occasions, we are Beginning to see species specific patterns that are relivent to the husbandry of the fish in captivity. There are minor nuances in the husbandry of each species. When put into a community situation these minor things can easily turn to become major things, especially if not monitored carefully.

To restate....I think a key here is the type of tank being used. I'm very cautious about tank size in camparison to fish size in rectagular glass or Clear acrylic tanks..Not so much concerned in circular holding tanks and pools. There is a big difference in these systems and how gar react to them. You can get away with more using purely opaque holding tanks. If circular you can get away with even more.

To specificly address Shortnosed gars..These fish are very spastic and easy to click in that flee gene. Others and myself have been wondering if this is more a built in part of their psyche. These fish come from big rivers generally and they also typically inhabit turbid conditions. These fish live in High flow areas where sight is limited. This may very well be why they have such issues in captivity. I tend to think they are best kept in a smaller sized tank with a very good unidirectional water flow. As they grow move them up in tank size very slowly. Do not put shortnosed in with nervous or quick reacting fish. Ideally Shortnosed are best kept in a species only tank.

 

[bacon]

my florida gar i have had for 9 years was kept in a 55 for a couple of years. i was young when i bought it and did not know any better. he has been in a 125 for 5 years now and is much happier. he will be going into a much bigger tank soon, but i think his growth has already been stunted. he eats anything from live, frozen, pelletts. do not ,make the same bad choice as me and put a gar in a 55. spend a lil bit of money on a tank from glasscages.com and build your own tank and filtration and you will be much happier. good luck.

 

[killerfish]

you could try needle fish there not true gars but thay look and act like them and wont get much bigger than 12'' in captivity more commonly they get 8''-10''

 

[demjor19]

i have a needle nose. a very fun fish to watch eat and they do look much more like a true gar than most other species of "non true gar".