Could I raise Arapaima in my pond?

[Deadliestviper7]

Thanks again!
Ohkay so I should've clarified that the flatheads eating all the other fish was fine, because the flats got to be "big." And when we moved here, I started feeding them and the bass/bluegill/crappie started flourishing again.
That's why I was initially thinking I would restock the flatheads. But then I started doing some research and thought it would be super cool if I could raise a Nessie (the big 5ft flathead) replacement, and the arapaima was my first thought. I looked at some others, and maybe a Beluga or white sturgeon would be much better? Or is it not cold enough you think? I don't have enough money to go with all those fish, and I'm a bit scared as they might eat other/the bass in the pond already might. I'm deffinitely going to get some logs and try to make a small pond for frogs! ^_^ A beluga would be more than a "worthy" Nessie replacement as it grows, I'm sure. But Idk... I may just be dreaming =P

A good Nessie would be just one of each of the following plus a bunch of smaller fish:
1 flathead catfish (or blue)
And 1 alligator gar.

Keeping just one of a species helps the fish get bigger because they don't spend energy competing for resources or breeding.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Thanks again!
Ohkay so I should've clarified that the flatheads eating all the other fish was fine, because the flats got to be "big." And when we moved here, I started feeding them and the bass/bluegill/crappie started flourishing again.
That's why I was initially thinking I would restock the flatheads. But then I started doing some research and thought it would be super cool if I could raise a Nessie (the big 5ft flathead) replacement, and the arapaima was my first thought. I looked at some others, and maybe a Beluga or white sturgeon would be much better? Or is it not cold enough you think? I don't have enough money to go with all those fish, and I'm a bit scared as they might eat other/the bass in the pond already might. I'm deffinitely going to get some logs and try to make a small pond for frogs! ^_^ A beluga would be more than a "worthy" Nessie replacement as it grows, I'm sure. But Idk... I may just be dreaming =P

A good Nessie would be just one of each of the following plus a bunch of smaller fish:
1 flathead catfish (or blue)
And 1 alligator gar.

Keeping just one of a species helps the fish get bigger because they don't spend energy competing for resources or breeding.

 

[vipercaleb1]

So after I get the aeration system installed and running for about a week or so, I can get a gator+flathead+sturgeon and some other smaller fish like you were reccomending earlier and just put them in? And then feed them using high-protein pellets or chicken pieces or something?

Also just to clarify, the gator won't attack the swimmers, right? (they look scary and I heard stories of attacks, but I think the attacks were due to people swimming in spawn/nesting areas, which wouldn't be a problem here since having only one)

 

[Dloks]

The gars will not attack you unless your silvery or fishy lol. Sturgeon is a great choice IMO. I love the freakin fish lol

 

[vipercaleb1]

What kind of Sturgeon? Thanks!

 

[Deadliestviper7]

So after I get the aeration system installed and running for about a week or so, I can get a gator+flathead+sturgeon and some other smaller fish like you were reccomending earlier and just put them in? And then feed them using high-protein pellets or chicken pieces or something?

Also just to clarify, the gator won't attack the swimmers, right? (they look scary and I heard stories of attacks, but I think the attacks were due to people swimming in spawn/nesting areas, which wouldn't be a problem here since having only one)

They really don't attack people, and you should hand feed them while swimming

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Just keep In Mind that sturgeon can't digest most pellets, they can't digest plant matter which means they should be fed a mixed diet of fish, shrimp,crayfish, earthworms etc

 

[vipercaleb1]

Oh hand feed the gars? That sounds so cool! ^_^
What kind of Gar and what kind of Sturgeon should I get? And do you think 2 of each is good? (I know you guys recommended to have only one of them so that those would grow big)

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Oh hand feed the gars? That sounds so cool! ^_^
What kind of Gar and what kind of Sturgeon should I get? And do you think 2 of each is good? (I know you guys recommended to have only one of them so that those would grow big)

2 of each is fine, id go with 2 alligator gar and 2 white sturgeon

 

[vipercaleb1]

2 of each is fine, id go with 2 alligator gar and 2 white sturgeon

Ohkay thanks! How would we hand feed the gar?