I've read that this Characin species prefers some salt, but they're not a true brackish fish. How much salt could they tolerate? Currently, I'm acclimating a 75 gallon tank to brackish water (very slowly) and I'm wondering if the Hujeta would be a decent candidate for a couple years.
Hujeta Barracuda/Gar in low end brackish?
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Fish from South America (including Characin species) are generally softwater fish. The opposite of BW. I'd go with the needlenose, if you want a gar-like fish, instead of forcing a fish to live forever in parameters unsuitable for it.
I was also looking into the Target Fish, but they are pretty mean. The lfs had three of them with two Archers before they almost nipped the Archers fins off completely... No thanks... Well, I'll look into the Silver Needle Nose Gar (Xenentodon Cancila)?? -Thanks for the wisdom.
Okay, I found a Needle Nose Gar on the south side of town and had the store hold it for me. It's probably 5" in length and looks healthy. I also grabbed some artificial Spanish moss (used for terrariums) and attached two separate lengths of it to the top of the glass with suction cups. The moss floats just under the surface of the water and will provide some seclusion. The Mollies like it too. After adding the Needle Nose to the tank, I threw in a dozen guppies. So far, the Needle Nose hasn't touched them... I'm guessing that once it situates itself, it will begin feeding regularly. Any opinions on the eating issue would be greatly appreciated. -Thanks
The lfs that I usually pick up feeder Guppies from was all out, so I went to another place and grabbed a dozen Rosie Reds.. The Needle Nose ate one and I have yet to see it eat another.. Pretty cool to watch though!! Here's a picture of the moss behind the Needle Nose. He/she seems to favor it pretty well.
It was hard to find something that could float just under the surface and not disrupt the color scheme. I think it turned out okay...
Belonesox pike-minnows are pretty similar to Hujeta gar in appearance and behaviour, and tolerate brackish as well.