Needle fish info needed.

[catfishacr]

Hey im thinking of getting a needlefish "needle nose gar" (Xenentodon Cancila). My big question is will they adapt to eating no live foods and does anyone have advice on how to get them off feeders? Also do they do better as one or in groups? I was thinking about maybe getting three of them. any other advice or info would be great. They would be going into a 300 gallon. thanks in advance.
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[tlindsey]

They do better in groups, happy to hear your going to put them in a 300, their fragile as far the mouth getting smash when they are spooked in a too small of aquarium. They can be weaned off live will take a little time with food such as frozen silversides, possibly pellets .

 

[kno4te]

Prefers a bit brackish water. Push the salinity a bit and they become more comfortable.


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[catfishacr]

Yeah If i get them I hope to feed silver sides, krill, etc. Will they do good in non brackish water?

 

[catfishacr]

Anyone? I'm thinking of getting some of these guys soon. I don't have a brackish tank. Will these needlefish do good for life in a freshwater tank or should I look for something else? Thanks

 

[MN_Rebel]

They should be fine in full freshwater setting since needlefish have caught inland hundreds of miles away from the ocean. Few landlocked populations too.

 

[catfishacr]

Cool Thanks!!

 

[Rafini]

In portugal we had these needlenose gar in the harbor areas you could see them from boats. obviously a closely related needle nose species, as their family of fish is mostly Marine species.

The needelnose Gar is only low end brackish so I imagine they could live fine in fresh. I have read that they grow larger in Brackish aquaria although that may just be that they grow FASTER... I'm not entirely sure.

They are awesome though, I saw a 3" one at an LFS the other day, I know where to order them from now when I set up my next aquarium good luck!


Also to catfishlover, look into Hujeta Gars. They are full freshwater upper level predators. Also known as slant nosed Gar Characin. they are a nice alternative and they will readily take pellets.