New Longnose gars on pellets

[Idealconcepts]

Ok so I got some longnose gars a week ago from today, they are about 5-7 inches. A few days after got them eating froze blood worms and about 2 days ago onto Hikari food sticks. been feeding them 3-4 times a day and they are pooping like crazy so did two water changes so far and will do multiple water changes each week while I contine with this heavy feeding. Day after Christmas we are going on a overnight trip so they will fast while we are gone. I want to get them large and hardy so I can move them out of the quarrantine tank (10gal), in another week or two, and into a larger tank

So is it ok to feed them this frequency of food as long as I keep up with the multiple water changes each week? Also what is the best time, or size to try market shrimp?

 

[Polypterus]

Ok so I got some longnose gars a week ago from today, they are about 5-7 inches. A few days after got them eating froze blood worms and about 2 days ago onto Hikari food sticks. been feeding them 3-4 times a day and they are pooping like crazy so did two water changes so far and will do multiple water changes each week while I contine with this heavy feeding. Day after Christmas we are going on a overnight trip so they will fast while we are gone. I want to get them large and hardy so I can move them out of the quarrantine tank (10gal), in another week or two, and into a larger tank

So is it ok to feed them this frequency of food as long as I keep up with the multiple water changes each week? Also what is the best time, or size to try market shrimp?

You can give then shrimp now. Cut it into thin strips.... Keep up with the feedings and waterchanges as you are already doing an you will have a nice big bunch of Osseus in no time. 2cm growth per week is not uncommon. Fasting for a day or so is also not a bad idea to regularly do anyhow, so do not worry much about that.

 

[Idealconcepts]

You can give then shrimp now. Cut it into thin strips.... Keep up with the feedings and waterchanges as you are already doing an you will have a nice big bunch of Osseus in no time. 2cm growth per week is not uncommon. Fasting for a day or so is also not a bad idea to regularly do anyhow, so do not worry much about that.

Thanks Polypterus. That's the plan.

At what size does their growth typically slow down at?

 

[Polypterus]

Thanks Polypterus. That's the plan.

At what size does their growth typically slow down at?

Hard to say...This is very variable. In the Northern fish I work with Females grow faster and larger to 14 to 15 inches then Plateau and go to seasonal growth. Males tend to stay smaller and get around 12 or so and then go to seasonal growth. This is pretty much a standard and is expected.

Growth in fish however is variable and depends on many factors. My conditions and the genetics of the fish I work with are different. No real good rule here. Best you can do is get it big and get it big fast. Once around the foot mark start slowing down the feeding and spreading it out. Fish will either continue to grow regardless or will Plateau out and slow to seasonal growth.

 

[Idealconcepts]

Hard to say...This is very variable. In the Northern fish I work with Females grow faster and larger to 14 to 15 inches then Plateau and go to seasonal growth. Males tend to stay smaller and get around 12 or so and then go to seasonal growth. This is pretty much a standard and is expected.

Growth in fish however is variable and depends on many factors. My conditions and the genetics of the fish I work with are different. No real good rule here. Best you can do is get it big and get it big fast. Once around the foot mark start slowing down the feeding and spreading it out. Fish will either continue to grow regardless or will Plateau out and slow to seasonal growth.

Thanks again Polypterus. I got them to eat small pieces of market shrimp, so I'm going to feed them the shrimp 2-3 times a week when I feed my Birchirs that are in another tank.

If I understand you correctly its difficult to say how they will grow but in about a year they should get to about a foot or a little over a foot and then slow down?

I have a couple two foot wide tanks and looking to get a 3 or 4 foot wide one in the next year or two. I'm looking to get a third 2 foot wide tank shortly so hopefully this can hold them over for a year or two. Have a Wedding that I need to save up for next year and a backyard that needs to be done, and a front yard that needs to be redone.

To many responsibilities taking up my play money as an adult.

 

[Polypterus]

Thanks again Polypterus. I got them to eat small pieces of market shrimp, so I'm going to feed them the shrimp 2-3 times a week when I feed my Birchirs that are in another tank.

If I understand you correctly its difficult to say how they will grow but in about a year they should get to about a foot or a little over a foot and then slow down?

I have a couple two foot wide tanks and looking to get a 3 or 4 foot wide one in the next year or two. I'm looking to get a third 2 foot wide tank shortly so hopefully this can hold them over for a year or two. Have a Wedding that I need to save up for next year and a backyard that needs to be done, and a front yard that needs to be redone.

To many responsibilities taking up my play money as an adult.

Take the foot to a little over a foot as an average example to shoot for and expect.

You should be OK for quite awhile in a 2 foot wide tank and it Seems like you have things well thought out (Or at least thinking about it) which is a good thing. You should not need a 3 foot tank for a few years for these fish.

Have to promise to give update pics

 

[Idealconcepts]

Take the foot to a little over a foot as an average example to shoot for and expect.

You should be OK for quite awhile in a 2 foot wide tank and it Seems like you have things well thought out (Or at least thinking about it) which is a good thing. You should not need a 3 foot tank for a few years for these fish.

Have to promise to give update pics

Thanks Polypterus. You are right I don't need the 3ft wide but want it. I'll post pics every once in a while and if I don't pm me.

At the one foot mark are they pretty hardy?

 

[Polypterus]

Thanks Polypterus. You are right I don't need the 3ft wide but want it. I'll post pics every once in a while and if I don't pm me.

At the one foot mark are they pretty hardy?

They are sort of hardy... These fish are always rather delicate and need a bit more attention to details than most lepisosteids. Feed good, keep the water good and avoid boisterous tankmates and they do fine.

 

[Idealconcepts]

They are sort of hardy... These fish are always rather delicate and need a bit more attention to details than most lepisosteids. Feed good, keep the water good and avoid boisterous tankmates and they do fine.

Thanks again.

Been doing 2-3 water changes and feeding heavily the Hikari Food sticks, and will do some market shrimp tonight.

 

[Idealconcepts]

Well one of them croaked sometime last night. I was doing a normal water change about 20-25% lastnight and this morning I found him dead. He wasn't eating the last 3-4 days but other than that seemed fine. He was about 7-8 inches long.

Luckily the other two are doing good and still eating pellets and frozen shrimp and talapia.