New Spotted Gar!!!!

[Conner]

thanks conner,

that info actually helps plenty and was what i expected. it's easier to keep one gar constantly fed than 60-120 we try to keep a consistent number of feeders in with the gars, but that's generally about 3 depending on size, not 40-50, even taking tankmates into account. we are also trying to raise them at "natural" temps, so they are kept about 8 degrees cooler than what you have yours at. either way, that's what i expected since that is how i have raised individual gars in the past (i've kept them around 82F for really quick initial growth, but have toyed with cooler temps too).

again, glad to see he's doing well--
--solomon

Ugh, I couldn't imagine keeping 120 gars fed, even babies! Talk about an expensive grocery bill each month...

I'm glad he got the quick initial growth in, because he was just sooo small compared to my other gars, but now I think I'm going to slow it down a little bit, if possible. I don't want him to grow too fast, in a way that's too unnatural. I'm sure he'll still grow faster than his siblings back with you, though.

 

[E_americanus]

Ugh, I couldn't imagine keeping 120 gars fed, even babies! Talk about an expensive grocery bill each month...

I'm glad he got the quick initial growth in, because he was just sooo small compared to my other gars, but now I think I'm going to slow it down a little bit, if possible. I don't want him to grow too fast, in a way that's too unnatural. I'm sure he'll still grow faster than his siblings back with you, though.

regarding comparisons to siblings, that growth rate is part of what i am investigating between populations. the initial growth may be faster since your conditions are warmer and much more food, but the result after 1 year should likely be quite similar to the other large gars out of the batch based on what we've seen in YOY growth in both captivity and wild. either way, will be interesting to keep track of. speaking of feeding...time to go feed about 500 fathead minnows to hungry mouths...