I have lost double digit gars in the past couple months since my built in deck pond experiment and general stupidity. I'm still learning! The uber tough survivors of their keepers retardation:
90G (standard dimensions)
2 x Alligator Gar (one is 6" - 7" range, and the other is about an inch or two larger)
Main Diet:
Cut Squid,
Fresh Fish Fillets (Mullet, Tilapia, White Bass, Butterfish, Spot, Trout & Pollock)
Market Shrimp
Silversides (Thawed)
Bay Scallop
Extremely rare that they eat live feeders due to a tankmate (Red Bay Snook 12") that can hold a half a dozen in his mouth at a time!
Other tankmates:
Albino Senegal Bichir (4") <== less then a month
African Black/ Brown? knife (8") <== Last week
Convict Cichlid (5") <== Many months now (entire lives since ownership)
Hi Fin Pleco (6") Many months now (entire lives since ownership)
20G Long (Growout tank)
1 x Longnose Gar (4") <== I originally ordered 10 baby LNG's - sole survivor
Main Diet:
Rosey Red Minnows
Glass Shrimp
Other tankmates:
Clown Knife (3")
Jaguar Cichlid (1.5")
Silver Dollar (3")
2x Black Catfish (0.25") <== Seems to enjoy eating these - not intended as food
Outdoor Deck Pond (160G growout) ==>
- I have a farm pond that has many natural spring feeds both above ground and under water. Roughly oval between 100' - 150'. I had diverted spring feeds to the stream, drained and dredged to 15' deep around 7 years ago. This is the eventual home of all of my Gars. (Channel Catfish and Bowfin also!)
1 x Longnose Gar (18")
1 x Florida Gar (12")
Diet:
(Same as the Gator Gars) In addition:
Live Feeder fish (Blue Gill Fry & Goldfish)
Earth Worms
Any bugs that hit the surface of the water are extremely quickly devoured!)
Pond Mates:
1 x Albino Channel Catfish (9" - 10" range)
1 x Hi Fin Pleco (6" - 7" range)
3 x Bowfin (7" - 9+" range)