red bellied pirhana with needle nose gar?

[petman]

I have 2 questions. I was thinking of getting a needle nose gar. I have a 30 gallon tank that has no fish in it right now. Could i keep A single needle nose gar in it. IF not i have a 65 gallon tank with 4, 5" red bellied piranha in it and i wanted to know if i could put a needle nose in it or would the piranha eat it?
The piranha tank measurements are 25" tall 3ft long and 18" deep.

 

[phillydog1958]

on the second question, i've seen several people on this site, who do keep piranha with other fish. i think your chances are better if you raise the piranha from a juvenile stage with other species of fish. i have a lfs that set up a display tank with 6-8 baby rbp's. they threw in 10 convicts. the two groups lived together for about 2-3 months. the rbp's grew and lived with the convicts in harmony. then one day, nature called and told the rbp's what they were genetically programmed to be. i think you can manage to keep the gar with the piranha shoal, but at some point, they have that epiphany. instinct kicks in and they realize that they are big, strong and outnumber the gar. they will do what natures tells them to do.

 

[petman]

OK thanks but i still want to know if i can keep a needle nose in the 30 if not i might be able to upgrade.

 

[phillydog1958]

it depends on the size of the gar. and even if you can keep the little guy in a 30g, it will only be for awhile.

 

[The Real 118]

i would have to say no for the 30 gallon tank

 

[Diogenes]

depends on size. Bigger RBPs = dead gar, bigger gar = dead RBPs. I would say no to a cohab in either of your tanks. RBP's alone need a 75 minimum, recommended 125g.

 

[Jeox]

a needlenose will not work with piranha.
period.
a 30 gallon is too small for one as well.

 

[Diogenes]

a needlenose will not work with piranha.
period.
a 30 gallon is too small for one as well.

it's hard to deal in absolutes. I imagine you could keep a shoal of RBP's with a gar in a 10000 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places.

 

[Otherone]

Ya the "absolutes" are killin' me - Depth isn't that important with Xenentodon Cancila - length and width combine with low lighting, current, and pristin' water conditions are. They can get real skitish so groups of 3 or more would be appriceated. 12-16" is a mature length for the Needlenose fish. From experience w/ spotted pike characins 18 x 25 is probably too tight a space for adult pseudo-gars but a good grow out tank for juvies. As for keeping Needlenose fish with RBP's - due to the carnivorous nature of both species - I'd go with the 30gal. and upgrade as needed.