I need advice. I am getting a new tank tomorrow and I considering getting a gar. I'm just not sure which type would be best for my tank. I'm purchasing a used tank for $150.00 and the measurements are 72"W X 18"D X 24"H. The guy said this is approx. 140 gallons, but I am not sure of this. Of course it will be a while before the tank is ready for any new additions, but I would like to be thinking about my options. While tank is in process of being set up and cycled I should have plenty of time to locate just the right fish. I will have to come up with a stand, lighting and filtration before I purchase any new fish. I am in Alabama and we have spotted and longnose gar in the Cahaba River locally. I have seen them several feet long, not far from my home. How feasible is it to catch a juvenile wild specimen and acclimate to tank?
Which gar for new tank
- Thread starter jcbartonio
- Start date
not going to last too long in your tank.. and releasing it back to the wild after it out grows your tank is not a good thing... i would go for a false gar if i were you..
BTW Welcome To Mfk
BTW Welcome To Mfk
Hello, and welcome to MFK.
I have a 125-gallon tank that has the same footprint as your tank to be. It's just a little bit shorter. If you end up getting some juvenile gars for your tank, you'll have a couple of years of enjoyment before it's upgrade time. I've had florida and tropical gars in my tanks for the past couple of years. They started out around 6" and now are around 15-17" which means it's about time to upgrade my tank, or find some new homes for my gars and start over. I'm leaning towards the former, haha.
I have a 125-gallon tank that has the same footprint as your tank to be. It's just a little bit shorter. If you end up getting some juvenile gars for your tank, you'll have a couple of years of enjoyment before it's upgrade time. I've had florida and tropical gars in my tanks for the past couple of years. They started out around 6" and now are around 15-17" which means it's about time to upgrade my tank, or find some new homes for my gars and start over. I'm leaning towards the former, haha.
Deathcurl;1279112; said:
i agree with E on this one. you can grow out some juveniles of most gar species in an 18" wide tank, but in you are looking for even moderately long term housing, you will need a tank that is at least 24" wide. this will house your typical Florida/spotted for several years, with a 180g working for quite a while. a 3' wide tank could feasibly house a Florida/spotted or tropical gar for life, although other species are questionable--
--solomon