LFS Gar Labeling - Please Help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Madding

The Ninth Holostei
MFK Member
May 11, 2009
3,628
5
0
38
New York
My LFS has two Gar's that they are calling "South American Mosaic Gars" for $24.99 each. I wanted to get one since my 150 is full of bottom dwellers. They're about 6" long. I couldn't take a photo but they look just like this, only smaller:



I asked for some general info at the store, and the guy helping me had to ask someone about it because he didn't know, and he came back and told me they said it gets three feet long. I didn't trust them based on past experiences.

Can anyone help me out? I was hoping it was something that wouldn't get far over 12"-18" for a couple years, as it would be going into a 4' by 3' by 3' (give or take a couple inches) 150 gallon for the foreseeable future (at least a year before I can upgrade) due to space issues in my current apartment.

Tankmates would include: 2x Delhezi Bichirs (4"-5"), 1x Silver Datnoid (6"), 1x Pleco (5"), 1x Jade Goby (5") and 1x Pike Cichlid [crenichla johanna] (6"). These fish currently co-exist without problem.

Tank is loaded with driftwood and plants, including high branches and tall plants. Dark substrate and caves for the fish that like them, everything natural.
 
It was definitely more spotted than striped, if that helps. I don't recall much of a stripe at all, and there definitely wasn't a long needly snout.
 
If you can get pics of the actual fish, that would help greatly. Going by the pic you posted, and general availability in the hobby, I would say its probably a Florida gar that they just made up a name for.

See if you can get actual pics...
 
yeah florida for sure
 
I'll try to get some cellphone pictures up tomorrow. I don't want to waste anyones time with guessing games, so let's focus on if it is a Florida Gar, about 6" and very healthy looking, would I be able to house it in a 150 for a year or so? See current stock-list above.

I'm an experienced fishkeeper and I wouldn't say I'm going to upgrade unless I meant it (just for anyone who thinks I might say it and never get around to it -- we've all dealt with those types).

I've always wanted a gar so I'm trying to be optimistic. Thanks!
 
If its a florida, it will do fine in a 150 for at least a year, maybe two. Once they hit 12", their growth really slows down.

I would say it would be fine with all those tankmates with the exception of the pleco. They are prone to sucking slime coat off slow moving fish, and gar like to lie on the bottom a lot, so the pleco might have to go if you want a gar.
 
the picture you posted is a shorrtnose gar and belongs to solomon, what you saw at yr lfs, frm the description, is most likely a florida gar
 
Does anyone have experience keeping gar with pike cichlids? My pike is probably my tanks biggest inhabitant and a bit of a bully (likes to flare and occasionally bug the Jady Goby -- nothing serious ever comes of it)
 
I have a 9-10" venezuelan pike with 2 florida gars and a shortnose gar. They leave each other alone. The biggest thing you have to look for is that the gar gets plenty to eat. Pikes can be pigs, and steal all the food.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom