What you guys think of alligator gars?

[MrHarris]

I just picked up a 4 inch baby alligator gar. What you guys think of them? Any tips or hints or anything in advance I should know about besides the fact I will need a swimming pool one day for it? What's your thoughts about this awesome fish?

 

[benzjamin13]

Cool looking and scary looking. I'd be afraid of water changes.

 

[rottbo]

man they get huge i dont have enough room to build them a big enough pond right now so icouldnt even consider getting but eventually maybe although i would break down walls if i could afford to house an arapaima so i would have to throw one of those evil looking alligator gars in too

 

[ewurm]

You will need a swimming pool.

 

[Polypterus]

Grows fast but easy to keep and to train to a captive prepared diet.

Obviously you know the size of the fish so will not insult you with "it gets big"

Some things to think about are Diet and water quality.

Offer the fish a very good mixed diet of Live, frozen/ prepared foods.
feed it well for the first year as often as you can untill it "plateaus" out around 24 inches.
After this point where growth slows the fish can be fed less and more randomly.

Be carefull with water quality and make sure ammonia is kept at zero.
Do not over do aeration or current in the tank.
For a young fish I do not suggest keeping them in a community setting as they do not compete well.

Good luck with the fish.
Also would love to see some pics of them

 

[ewurm]

Oops not a good fish, it's a better shot of the catfish. Try this one:

 

[Polypterus]

For a real pic and advice invest in a baseball bat

 

[rottbo]

wouldnt you have a bat with teeth that big that close to your legs

 

[Polypterus]

wouldnt you have a bat with teeth that big that close to your legs

Yes....Um... I would.....LMAO
Frankly the tail scares me more though on these big Atractosteus

 

[dtgshark]

they are very hardy fish and easy to train. can eat frozen food or live food and grows really fast and big. nice catch.