Needle Nose Gar convert to frozens?

[MeiTnerium109]

I recently picked up a needlenose gar (Xenentodon cancila) two days ago.

The person at the pet store said they're hard to convert to anything not living. I would prefer not to try feeders, being as other fish in my tank might also try and eat them. Also, there's the whole ordeal about bacteria infections and housing for the fish to deal with.

I currently feed my tank frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen vegetables every night (after turning off the lights). What would be the best way to convert my needlenose to frozens?

(BTW, I realize needlenose gars aren't true gars. Don't waste my time.)

 

[MeiTnerium109]

...

Well, I went ahead and bought three minnows (assuming that I need to make the gar realize that I give food before I can start converting him). Put one in the tank, and the gar showed no interest in it.

Why would this be? Is the gar still getting familiar with his surroundings and therefore, uncomfortable eating? How long could he survive without being fed?

 

[Conner]

How big is the minnow in relation to the needle nose? Chances are you'll need to start with feeder guppies or small rosy reds before you go to minnows or comets (which are generally larger).

 

[MeiTnerium109]

The gar is about 5-6" and the minnow is about 1.5". Based on videos and pictures I've seen online, my gar should be capable of eating it.

 

[bdevilcasey]

The gar should have no problem with the minnows. Its still a bit shocked. In my experience, Ive never had seccess with anything but live feeders with Needle Nose Gar. If you dont want your other fish to eat live food, just feed the tank as normal and throw one feeder at a time in for the gar once a week. Start with 5 and work up. If it starts to eat the other food while waiting for his one day a week then great. If not then a week wont hurt it. It just might not grow as fast. Or do feeders twice a week.

 

[Gator]

I recently picked up a needlenose gar (Xenentodon cancila) two days ago.

The person at the pet store said they're hard to convert to anything not living. I would prefer not to try feeders, being as other fish in my tank might also try and eat them. Also, there's the whole ordeal about bacteria infections and housing for the fish to deal with.

I currently feed my tank frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen vegetables every night (after turning off the lights). What would be the best way to convert my needlenose to frozens?

(BTW, I realize needlenose gars aren't true gars. Don't waste my time.)

You have that backwards. If you know its not a true gar then why are you wasting our time posting it in the True gar section?

 

[MeiTnerium109]

You have that backwards. If you know its not a true gar then why are you wasting our time posting it in the True gar section?

Your pathetic attempt in making yourself look smart is wasting my time. If you aren't willing to contribute to the discussion, please leave. Nowhere does it say that only true gar discussions are to be had; therefore false gar discussions are also allowed.

 

[Gator]

By acknowledging that your fish arent true gars and posting here anyways and not in the appropriate "Other Monster Fish" section shows your arrogance. Looking at the fish you have crammed into a 46G bowfront shows your ineptitude. Trying to disparage me will get you no where fast here, the more attitude you give to others here the more you will get in return.

 

[MeiTnerium109]

I was away on a vacation this weekend and have now returned.

I tried feeding the gar and realized why he wasn't eating. The gar won't eat anything without a good look at it. The minnow is simply too fast and gets out of its view before it can acknowledge its culinary status. Also, my tank is well planted, and when the minnow escapes the gar, it becomes well hidden. Before I left on my vacation, a minnow died. I tried putting it in and the gar acknowledged it (being as it didn't get out of sight), however, wouldn't eat it because it was dead. So, I've decided to get some crickets and test them out. If the gar consumes them, I'll start feeding them regularly. Otherwise, I'll probably be forced to return the poor fish.

Anyway, I would really appreciate it if anybody could correct me if I'm wrong.

By acknowledging that your fish arent true gars and posting here anyways and not in the appropriate "Other Monster Fish" section shows your arrogance. Looking at the fish you have crammed into a 46G bowfront shows your ineptitude. Trying to disparage me will get you no where fast here, the more attitude you give to others here the more you will get in return.

Show me where it says false gar discussions aren't allowed here, and show me why the moderators haven't moved this topic. Then I'll back off. You also don't know my setup very well. Water quality is phenomenal and all of my fish have lived comfortably for years (obviously excluding the gar).

And personally, I don't really mind the attitude. It's a good way to practice my writing skills.

 

[Littleman707]

u can feed him frozen flounder. my needlenose loves it