Thinking about gars...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Conner

Conner

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 27, 2008
4,461
25
81
Kentucky
OK, so one of my lfs' has some Florida Gars that I've been watching for the last month or so. Every time I go in, I like them more and more.

My largest tank right now is a 125g (72x18x22). I don't want to get a gar if it can't live in this tank for at least a few years, as my expansion plans are slightly limited right now.

As of now, the only fish I plan on having in this tank are a pair of pbass (3.5" and 5.5" respectively), which I already have. The gar(s) that I'm looking at are about 7-8 inches in length. Is this a recipe for a nice pbass snack, or would it be ok?

I have been reading through the gar forum for a few days now, and I haven't been able to pinpoint any real good opinions on a Florida gar in a 125g tank.

If I can keep Florida gars in this tank, for at least a few years, and they won't be too likely to eat my pbass, how many could I keep? I don't want to get myself into trouble if I can help it, and I'd appreciate some advice in the matter.

Thanks in advance!
 
they cant stay in that for few years
 
I would say 5x2 minimum, 6x2 or 6x3 better of course. I got mine a year ago, he was 1' long then and has been 18" for a bit now, I think his growth is slowing. You could maybe keep a couple of Floridas in a 125 for 2 years or so...the bigger problem is the gar/pbass combo which I've heard isn't the best (I haven't kept bass before so that's not personal experience).
 
i have a 13" gar in my 125 and obviously one day size may be an issue but many stop growing around 18". i think it would be ok for a couple years at least. when he was around 7-8" he was with a 3" pbass. their mouth are actually not big. your sizes would be fine. at 13" he still doesnt mess with a 4" dat.
 
got a 14" almost 15" florida in a 125g. It will take it years to out grow the 18" wide tank. will it? yes, well probably. the size of tank is not your problem. the problem is gars with pbass is a bad idea. the pbass will kill the gar. i can almost, almost, gaurentee it. at there size they might not but......
if you want the pbass dont get the gar. if you want the gar ditch the pbass. your tank size is fine.
 
Well I may have a line on a super cheap 220g (72x30x24) :headbang2, so I may be picking that up this week. It'll be a few months to a year before I'm able to set it up if I get it though, due to space constraints. It's either that or sell one of my 125g tanks (which I may do).

Anywho, what is a good price range for 8-10 inch Florida gars? There's only one store in town that regularly carries them, and I want to know if they're priced higher than average or not. They're asking $40 for that size. What do you think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom