New "Black" Florida Gar

[pharmaecopia]

Picked up this gar today. The gar is missing both of it's eyes.

Colouration had me very interested because from previous discussions about black gars, it was said that an eyeless gar should show very light colouration similar to how a gar's pattern changes at night, and would not result in a black gar. That most of the black gars were missing one or both eyes was said to be because the canal the fish were found in had an abundance of introduced cichlid species.

Here is the new gar shown with a normal florida.

 

[Dubeckyj]

Nice pickup! Where'd you find that? (Also, how does a gar with no eyes compete for food?)

 

[DIDYSIS]

Ya good question, maybe you tap on the tank a little till it comes over, bet you could train it that way lol

Nice pickup! Where'd you find that? (Also, how does a gar with no eyes compete for food?)

 

[pharmaecopia]

Nice pickup! Where'd you find that? (Also, how does a gar with no eyes compete for food?)

Was at hamilton big al's. Had been there a couple weeks, so I finally broke down and bought it.

As far as competing for food, I'm going to try offering foods using tongs. Might also try foods items with a stronger smell to see if it can find those.

 

[Dubeckyj]

I keep meaning to swing by there, but I haven't had the time. Anything else interesting that you saw? I might head down this weekend.

Good luck with that guy! Keep us posted on how he's doing.

 

[jpcampbell123]

i have a really dark florida as well where did you get yours? mine came from a vendor on mfk

 

[E_americanus]

Picked up this gar today. The gar is missing both of it's eyes.

Colouration had me very interested because from previous discussions about black gars, it was said that an eyeless gar should show very light colouration similar to how a gar's pattern changes at night, and would not result in a black gar. That most of the black gars were missing one or both eyes was said to be because the canal the fish were found in had an abundance of introduced cichlid species.

Here is the new gar shown with a normal florida.

nice fish! green highlight taken out of context though...will have to review that discussion. more of a cause and effect (or lack thereof) argument...black gars are not necessarily black because they are eyeless, and evolutionarily speaking, fish that have no eyes (blind cats, cave fishes, tetras) are light in color, not dark. also, gars turn very light-colored at night, when there is an absence of most light...therefore why would a gar that can't see turn darker? the eyeless factor may be connected in some other way or may just be coincidence. but true melanistic gars are black because of excess pigment, not because they lack eyes (most true melanistic gars have eyes).

in areas of Florida there are exotics (some cichlids) that eat the eyes out of gars and other fishes...that could also be a connection, coincidence, but may not necessarily be the cause.

again, nice specimen, and good luck with the feeding training!--
--solomon

 

[JML1997]

For feeding fish with no eyes, I've found that adding garlic to your food of choice, helps create a strong smell luring the fish over.

Nice pick up.

 

[pharmaecopia]

I keep meaning to swing by there, but I haven't had the time. Anything else interesting that you saw? I might head down this weekend.

Good luck with that guy! Keep us posted on how he's doing.

Not too much else that I was interested in. Most of the other fish in stock were the usual mix of cichlids, community fish, etc.

i have a really dark florida as well where did you get yours? mine came from a vendor on mfk

Picked this gar up from a local store.

nice fish! green highlight taken out of context though...will have to review that discussion. more of a cause and effect (or lack thereof) argument...black gars are not necessarily black because they are eyeless, and evolutionarily speaking, fish that have no eyes (blind cats, cave fishes, tetras) are light in color, not dark. also, gars turn very light-colored at night, when there is an absence of most light...therefore why would a gar that can't see turn darker? the eyeless factor may be connected in some other way or may just be coincidence. but true melanistic gars are black because of excess pigment, not because they lack eyes (most true melanistic gars have eyes).

in areas of Florida there are exotics (some cichlids) that eat the eyes out of gars and other fishes...that could also be a connection, coincidence, but may not necessarily be the cause.

again, nice specimen, and good luck with the feeding training!--
--solomon

I'm going to try to get more info on this gar from the buddy I have that works there. Last time I saw it it wasn't as dark as it is now.

For feeding fish with no eyes, I've found that adding garlic to your food of choice, helps create a strong smell luring the fish over.

Nice pick up.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[pharmaecopia]

Was able to find out some more information today. This gar had originally been a normal patterned florida. After spending some time with some terrible tankmates, ca/sa cichlids, at the lfs it lost both it's eyes. Was then moved to a different tank and from there the colour has darkened.


As far as feeding seems to have eaten a couple rosy reds and has been snapping at some pellets, though it hasn't eaten any yet.