new to gars but need more info

[greengiant]

I have never had a gar but I came across a alligator gar in dire need of rescue. its presently in a 40G tank and I have a 250G tank fo its alot better than what its in. to some these may be stupid questions but please don't reply if all your gonna do is give stupid answers.

1. what is the growth rate of these Gars? how long can I expect this 250G tank to hold it? it is a 6'X3' tank I cant recall the height

2. it is presently about 15" long how much should I expect it to eat?

3. how are they with tankmates? I have a Paroon Emperor Shark in the tank at the present that are about the same size will there be any conflict?

4. in captivity how big of a tank do they require for life?

5. how old do they get?

any other valuable info can I get passed on to me?

if there is somewhere that answers these questions please direct me I wil greatly appreciate it.

this is not what I planned on getting next but it has been offered to me as the present owners where told it would only grow to 12" so I would rather rescue a fish then let it suffer

 

[thesquishy]

have you tryed some of the stickys?
also http://lepisosteidae.net/index.htm
or just go through alot of the threads like I do SO MUCH info!
Good luck ... you shure its a gator?

 

[thesquishy]

oh yea if it is a gator they get 7-8 feet long. Big alligator gars in the wild grow to 12-24 feet in length...hope you have a big pool to house it later lol

 

[xander]

24 gator gar?! my my i've been missing out on evolution..

to the ts, most(if not all) of your questions can be answered if you read the stickies

 

[greengiant]

yeah its a gator I've I.D.ed it. I have found a ton of info on fishing for them but not on raising them. I hate to see a fish live in cramped quarters and at least I can offer it some reprieve. maybe not long term but at least for a while. and post something for someone who may be able to handle it thoughout its life. as much as I would love to have a true monster for life its not in the cards right now and my tank build is still in planning stages and would likely be around 1500-2000G still a far cry from big enough for these in the wild. besides I'm not sure I want a fish in my house that could one day eat me lol I see this as a rescue for the short term not a lifetime arrangement.

 

[xander]

yeah its a gator I've I.D.ed it. I have found a ton of info on fishing for them but not on raising them. I hate to see a fish live in cramped quarters and at least I can offer it some reprieve. maybe not long term but at least for a while. and post something for someone who may be able to handle it thoughout its life. as much as I would love to have a true monster for life its not in the cards right now and my tank build is still in planning stages and would likely be around 1500-2000G still a far cry from big enough for these in the wild. besides I'm not sure I want a fish in my house that could one day eat me lol I see this as a rescue for the short term not a lifetime arrangement.

post a pic, if not it'll be hard to help confirm if it's a true gator gar. if you haven't found any info on raising them you obviously haven't been looking in the right places, try the stickies for starters

 

[greengiant]

ok so I got a pic from my friend and before I got it I was certain it was a gator Gar. now with the pic I 'm not and am wondering if its a florida Gar. I know what it has been fed ant that is only feeder fish and I figured likely this isn't correct. I am actually now hoping it is a Florida Gar as I can keep it for life here is a pic. I'm having difficulty with the coloration cause the guides look so light in color compared to the actual fish.

sorry the pic is so big I havent learned how to shrink them yet

 

[xander]

gator gar, looks like it has a pleco for a tankmate. another very bad move by the lfs. rescue it if you can!

 

[CTU2fan]

Some rough estimates:

You could likely keep the gator in your 250 for at least a year. Depending on how old it is now it may be somewhat stunted from being in the smaller tank and not grow all that quickly, you'd have to try it and see. As I understand it 3-5' is generally the captive growth expectancy. As for your paroons, gator gar are notably poor tankmates for just about anything, and there's every good chance it will try to kill/eat your paroons.

 

[greengiant]

ok I'm gonna rescue it. they are giving me the 2 plecos as well so they will have to go in another tank. it kinda sucks that they don't have good tankmates as I like to have more than 1 fish in a tank at a time but what do you do. I have feeder cons are these a suitable food for it? I will suplement it with pellets if it will take them. I know it has been fed Minnows up until now but where I live they are not common and I already have the cons.