Just got a cuban gar

[djr83]

As the title say, I just got a cuban gar and I have a few questions. First, it's nose is pointing a bit to the right, will this get better when he grows?
And how do I get him to eat pellets? He's not very interested in any food I've given him, even though he at least eats herring. But I always have to play arround a bit with the herring until he bites. That makes it so much harder to get him to eat anything else.
Any ideas?

 

[pharmaecopia]

The nose will probably stay that way. How big is the gar? If it's under 8" I would be giving it feeders for now. Switch it over to pellets or other prepared foods when larger. If it is already over 8" I would be experimenting with different food items trying to find something it likes. I've heard good things about freeze dried krill.

Can you get some pictures of the new cuban as well?

 

[djr83]

I only have one picture of it now, can get one of the nose later: http://postimage.org/image/mf71d9sr9/

It's over 8", maybe as big as 10".

 

[pharmaecopia]

Nice looking cuban.

Have you tested your water? If something is off there that could explain why it's not very interested in food.

 

[djr83]

Yes tested it an hour ago, everything is good.

 

[pharmaecopia]

Can you please post the results of the individual parameters you tested. Actual numbers will help more than just "good".

Have you been keeping an eye on the pH of the tank? Cubans are known to be more sensitive towards swings in pH. An argonite or crushed coral somewhere in the system is usually recomended to help stabilize the pH.

 

[djr83]

NO2 is below 0.3 mg/l (lowest result the test can get), NH3 is 0, NH4 is 0, pH is 7.5 which is normal for my water (which should mean it's stable).

 

[pharmaecopia]

Did you measure nitrates, NO3?

 

[MonsterMinis]

ime KH/GH are more important then your actual PH reading. my guy has done excellent on our well water ( which is hard as rocks GH and KH both off the charts) at 7.5 your water is likely more on the softer side.. I would def consider an argonite sand( generally used in SW tanks, get the dry stuff not the "live" stuff) as a substrate for the tank. or add crushed coral to your filtration. I have had my cuban now ..wow almost a year =) and had no major issues. He took to floating pellets readily ( but he was on floating food when I received him as well) If you've only had him a few days/week or so keep feeding him what he will take, and keep trying other foods as well, imo keep him hungry but not starved. My cuban as well has abit of a "tilt" to his snout.. imo this is a result from the conditions they are kept in at the hatchery, my guys has seemed to have improved the longer I've had him and my best advise reguarding this is keep him in optimal conditions. I've also noticed with the wider jaw-set ( compared to my floridas) It's actually easier to see slight differences in the nose that would otherwise go unnoted.

 

[djr83]

Not sure what KH/GH is but the water is supposed to be "medium hard". Dont have any number to give you. I've only had him for 3 days so I know it's early but I'm comparing him to my alligator gar which has never resisted any food.

A bad pic on the nose: http://postimage.org/image/jhtwzqxv9/

Just tested NH3 and it's 10 mg/l which is second lowest on the test.