Gars question

[E_americanus]

as richard (and some others) mentioned, juvenile gars shouldn't be allowed to starve. personally, with young juvenile gars (anywhere from 2~9") i tend to keep a steady supply of feeder rosies in the tank, that way they can feed as needed during these critical growing periods. i often times (although it definitely is possible to get them on non-live, and richard does this quite a bit) don't mess with non-live foods until the fish are around 10-11" in length. this is not a hard and fast rule, but a flexible method i've used in raising gars.
basically i grow them up with a steady supply of food while smaller, and then when they are at a more stable size i switch to non-live and change up the feeding patterns a bit. methods for feeding captive gars can be variable, but the constant should be that young gars don't go for very long (i.e. about 1-2 days) without food. hope that helps--
--solomon

 

[city_of_evil6661]

That wasn't smart...why weren't they fed? Gar that small should definitely be left for the more experienced. They have very specific dietary needs and can be fairly difficult to keep in general.

i have plenty enough experience to know that babys that small shouldnt be starved. (hence that the little 2" longnose we got from the lake is still alive.) i just couldnt get to the lfs to get them feeders. and you think i just starved them? i tried to feed them small pellets but they wouldnt take them. yes they are difficult but i can do it.

 

[city_of_evil6661]

as richard (and some others) mentioned, juvenile gars shouldn't be allowed to starve. personally, with young juvenile gars (anywhere from 2~9") i tend to keep a steady supply of feeder rosies in the tank, that way they can feed as needed during these critical growing periods. i often times (although it definitely is possible to get them on non-live, and richard does this quite a bit) don't mess with non-live foods until the fish are around 10-11" in length. this is not a hard and fast rule, but a flexible method i've used in raising gars.
basically i grow them up with a steady supply of food while smaller, and then when they are at a more stable size i switch to non-live and change up the feeding patterns a bit. methods for feeding captive gars can be variable, but the constant should be that young gars don't go for very long (i.e. about 1-2 days) without food. hope that helps--
--solomon

this is basically what i try to do. when i had them they had a good bit of feeders and i thought they would last longer than they did. and when they ran out i couldnt get to the LFS in time for them. but i think i have plenty of experience to know that they shouldnt be starved.

 

[E_americanus]

this is basically what i try to do. when i had them they had a good bit of feeders and i thought they would last longer than they did. and when they ran out i couldnt get to the LFS in time for them. but i think i have plenty of experience to know that they shouldnt be starved.

i definitely understand what you were trying to do, and all of us have been caught off guard with feeding issues in the past, don't worry. that being said, it really doesn't take elaborate experience with gars to know they shouldn't be starved...that can be learned by just reading something on the internet.

"plenty of experience" is quite the relative phrase, and in my opinion, should really only be used when experience can be measured in years if not longer (that's not intended towards any one person, but just a general statement). --
--solomon

 

[city_of_evil6661]

i definitely understand what you were trying to do, and all of us have been caught off guard with feeding issues in the past, don't worry. that being said, it really doesn't take elaborate experience with gars to know they shouldn't be starved...that can be learned by just reading something on the internet.

"plenty of experience" is quite the relative phrase, and in my opinion, should really only be used when experience can be measured in years if not longer (that's not intended towards any one person, but just a general statement). --
--solomon

when i bought them i got enough feeders that i thought was gonna last about a month and they were gone in 2 weeks. i was trying to get to the LFS before they ran out because they were low. but considering that everyone had to work the LFS couldnt be worked into the schedule. and it was really stressing me out bacause i didnt want to loose them but there was nothing i could really do besides try to get them to take pellets that didnt work.

i see what your saying about 'having plenty of experience' but i think i have learned a good bit about these fish in the last year to know how to keep them alive.

 

[demjor19]

i have plenty enough experience to know that babys that small shouldnt be starved. (hence that the little 2" longnose we got from the lake is still alive.) i just couldnt get to the lfs to get them feeders. and you think i just starved them? i tried to feed them small pellets but they wouldnt take them. yes they are difficult but i can do it.

At the time i really doubt you did have enough experience. They should have been offered daphnia or some other form of small live prey. After you noticed they were not eating, an "experienced fish keeper" would have tried other alternatives and not watched them just wither away. In my opinion you seem to talk a lot more than you really know.

 

[city_of_evil6661]

At the time i really doubt you did have enough experience. They should have been offered daphnia or some other form of small live prey. After you noticed they were not eating, an "experienced fish keeper" would have tried other alternatives and not watched them just wither away. In my opinion you seem to talk a lot more than you really know.

ok. the only live food that is sold in the only 2 lfs here, are guppies, goldfish, and rosie reds. it was to early in the year for mosquito larvae. and i did try 'other alternatives' remember that i mentioned the pellets.

 

[channarox]

they can actually go pretty long,few weeks,without food.
but of course,as richard has mentioned,its not very good for them at all.

 

[demjor19]

they can actually go pretty long,few weeks,without food.
but of course,as richard has mentioned,its not very good for them at all.

An adult gar can go months without food (although i would not advise this), but i have had several go more than one month and one gar went 4 months without eating (not by my choice). It's the Juveniles that require the constant care and frequent feedings. While raising any gar under 10" i personally feed them 4-6 smaller portions per day. These are the most critical and rapid periods of growth for these fish and should be provided a constant supply of nutrition.

 

[channarox]

An adult gar can go months without food (although i would not advise this), but i have had several go more than one month and one gar went 4 months without eating (not by my choice). It's the Juveniles that require the constant care and frequent feedings. While raising any gar under 10" i personally feed them 4-6 smaller portions per day. These are the most critical and rapid periods of growth for these fish and should be provided a constant supply of nutrition.

yea,i meant juvies.
below 6 inches.
unfortunately for many of us,we cant feed 4 - 6 times a day.