what is the MINIMUM gallons an alligator gar should have?i am starting to build a 1,000 gallon pond.would that be enough for an alligator gar to reach good potentials?
minimum gallons for alligator gar
- Thread starter yo_fish_boi
- Start date
it's not so much about minimum gallonage per say. more of the foot print. if you're going with a tank i'd say go with minimum of 10x5x2.5ft, i would go with somehting more squarish though, perhaps 8x7ft. bigger is always better with these fish though as these fish can get up to 4ft in captivity, although more commonly ard 3.
Personally I'd make it as big as possible. Let's say 20' x 15' x 5'. They do like a little bit of depth so they can hide. You never know if yours might exceed the usual captive growth size.
this is a difficult question to answer as there are a TON of factors that will affect the gar's growth. first off, captive gator gars in the typical aquarium setting of a hobbyist's home won't get to 7-8' like in the wild.
if you are starting off the fish in an aquarium and moving it up step by step, then it will also probably acquire some stunting along the way just due to basic aquarium dynamics compared to the wild. if you were to put it directly into the pond with a bunch of feeders, then you would be looking at closer to maximum captive growth rates (similar to what we see in aquaculture ponds, etc).
if you are starting it off in a tank, even for the first year, then your 4.5' wide tank would likely be big enough. if you are starting it off in the pond, then it would last you quite a while, but there is a slim chance that the gar may actually do better in a larger enclosure down the line.
i would increase the width of the tank as much as possible and go with that setup, but also consider how you are raising the fish in early life (tank, pond, etc) as this has major weight in how large the gar will get later down the line--
--solomon
if you are starting off the fish in an aquarium and moving it up step by step, then it will also probably acquire some stunting along the way just due to basic aquarium dynamics compared to the wild. if you were to put it directly into the pond with a bunch of feeders, then you would be looking at closer to maximum captive growth rates (similar to what we see in aquaculture ponds, etc).
if you are starting it off in a tank, even for the first year, then your 4.5' wide tank would likely be big enough. if you are starting it off in the pond, then it would last you quite a while, but there is a slim chance that the gar may actually do better in a larger enclosure down the line.
i would increase the width of the tank as much as possible and go with that setup, but also consider how you are raising the fish in early life (tank, pond, etc) as this has major weight in how large the gar will get later down the line--
--solomon
PS - and personally i disagree on the depth issue, a gar that large won't need to hide, and 3' would be just fine...5' is getting ridiculous in terms of home enclosures and practicality, however, it would not hurt.--
--solomon
--solomon
I understand,..unfortunately,i don't have space.4.5' for the width is the max.well,maybe i can make a bigger one once i get married and transfer.hehe!the gator gar for sale is just 5",and you said i may be able to keep it for 2years?well i think it will work..and yeah,5ft depth?i would need a chair just to have a look at the pond.haha!i'm only 5'7 tall and the pond is not a dig out type.