Florida Gar Care Questions

[Jimmyk]

1. Are juvenile Florida gars known to be cannibalistic? How do you raise multiple juvenile Florida gars together?
2. How many adult gars could live in a 172 gallon pond (Width: 52 inches x 52 inches, Height: 20 inches) for life?
3. What tank mates would you suggest for this pond?

 

[fishhead0103666]

I would not put a single gar in that pond due to the foot print.

 

[Caveden]

1. Are juvenile Florida gars known to be cannibalistic? How do you raise multiple juvenile Florida gars together?
2. How many adult gars could live in a 172 gallon pond (Width: 52 inches x 52 inches, Height: 20 inches) for life?
3. What tank mates would you suggest for this pond?

Florida Gars are one of the less aggressive gars and not as cannibalistic as their counterparts. You should be safe growing them up together provided they are of similar sizes. In terms of aggressiveness, I would rank them in this order:

alligator gars > Cuban gars > tropical gars > short nose/ Florida gars.

with your footprint however I would recommend max one Florida gar, but might be pushing it.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I would not put any gar in that pond, even the smallest Florida gar will reach 20” and gar are not at all flexible. I think you will find that the gar will get injured as it grows bigger.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I think a group of top dwelling oddballs like African butterfly fish, hujeta gar, or odoe pike would be stunning.

 

[AR1]

I agree with the above. My florida gar was growing nicely until it jumped and broke its back, the poor thing died. They aren't very flexible.
The tank was a bit small for its size.

 

[Jimmyk]

what footprint do you all put your Florida gar in?

 

[Burbotman]

your pond is a square 52”x52” by 20” tall. Solid Foot print for several Floida Gar. No issues with them turning in that size. Is bigger better? Of course My thoughts

 

[Polypterus_36]

Multiple Florida gar will be fine in that pond.

 

[Hao]

your pond is a square 52”x52” by 20” tall. Solid Foot print for several Floida Gar. No issues with them turning in that size. Is bigger better? Of course My thoughts

I agree. Also, gars generally do not swim much in my experience. They tend to chill in one spot mostly near the surface of the water. 52"x52" should be plenty for several Florida gars (Especially if he's growing out juvenile ones, most likely are captive bred, which tend to stay on the smaller side compared to their wild caught counterpart).