I'm confused about Alligator Gars

[Nabbig2]

Please feel free to include yourself in "No one should own these" But keep in mind that there are "no ones" that have both the experience, space and ability to keep these fish. I could very easily house a Gator gar (Especially since I know a bit about captive ones) if I cared to but like Phil I like the Tropicals a bit more so I'm focusing on these fish.

Like any fish.. one needs to do some basic research and planning before obtaining them and should not get one if you can not house them. The size of these fish is not an Unknown to anyone so there really is little reason to continue stating it.

No species of fish is 'Not suited' for captivity, there are just some people that should not keep them.

Sorry, but I agree with Miguel. Some fish are just not suited for captivity. I'm not saying it's impossible to keep them, but admit it; Alligator gars have large territories, and swim around areas that are miles large. Do you have that kind of tank/pond? I doubt anybody does. Some fish just need huge areas, or need situations that can not be replicated in captivity. For instance, the Payara. It's not impossible to keep, but if kept, it is almost always under stress, and very shy. They do way better in the wild, and are therefore not suited well for being kept at all.

 

[ShadowBass]

If we're going by area utilized by certain fish in the wild, NONE of us should be keeping most of the fish we keep, besides maybe a betta.

I've seen schools of minnows travel pretty big areas of water. Many bottomfeeders, no matter the size, will travel pretty large distances foraging for something to eat.

I see the point that some fish are just poorly suited for captivity in general, but who are any of us, on either side of the argument, to flame other members for the size of fish they keep? Or telling other members that they shouldn't keep them?

I understand that everyone has an opinion on certain species and their suitability for captivity, but why stoop to the level of personal attacks?

Nabbig2, your original question was can alligator gar be MAINTAINED by anyone. IMO, just like any other fish if you have the amount of water and the proper knowledge to care for them, yes they can. Is that true of the average aquarist? No. Then again it's not even true that the average aquarist can care for MANY of the fish we keep on here.
I don't see anyone arguing that we can even come close to recreating the natural enviroment for the majority of the fish we keep, but big enough housing can be provided to keep a gator gar alive and well at full size, assuming the person has enough room and money.

 

[Miguel]

I understand that everyone has an opinion on certain species and their suitability for captivity, but why stoop to the level of personal attacks?

Nabbig2, your original question was can alligator gar be MAINTAINED by anyone. IMO, just like any other fish if you have the amount of water and the proper knowledge to care for them, yes they can. Is that true of the average aquarist? No. Then again it's not even true that the average aquarist can care for MANY of the fish we keep on here.
I don't see anyone arguing that we can even come close to recreating the natural enviroment for the majority of the fish we keep, but big enough housing can be provided to keep a gator gar alive and well at full size, assuming the person has enough room and money.

You see, you stated your opinion in clear, straightforward terms. That is what a forum is for.

Imo, at least

 

[zix]

gator is a fish hard to keep because of grow and bad agressive maners ,
i going to get one but already planing what pond to put ,

 

[X24]

If we're going by area utilized by certain fish in the wild, NONE of us should be keeping most of the fish we keep, besides maybe a betta.

I've seen schools of minnows travel pretty big areas of water. Many bottomfeeders, no matter the size, will travel pretty large distances foraging for something to eat.

I see the point that some fish are just poorly suited for captivity in general, but who are any of us, on either side of the argument, to flame other members for the size of fish they keep? Or telling other members that they shouldn't keep them?

I understand that everyone has an opinion on certain species and their suitability for captivity, but why stoop to the level of personal attacks?

Nabbig2, your original question was can alligator gar be MAINTAINED by anyone. IMO, just like any other fish if you have the amount of water and the proper knowledge to care for them, yes they can. Is that true of the average aquarist? No. Then again it's not even true that the average aquarist can care for MANY of the fish we keep on here.
I don't see anyone arguing that we can even come close to recreating the natural enviroment for the majority of the fish we keep, but big enough housing can be provided to keep a gator gar alive and well at full size, assuming the person has enough room and money.

thats why i came up with at the end. i still don't think some fish are suited for captivity, but if you would happen to have a million gallon tank, then i suppose they could be suited for captivity. really any fish could be if you had a tank the size of texas......but thats highly unlikely, but not impossible to happen. so you can't argue against it really.

 

[Oddball]

I'm beginning to hear echos from previous pages and am closing this now