needle nose gar go with this setup?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
rucus

rucus

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2007
428
19
48
Nebraska
www.fishtailaquatics.com
Have tried finding more info on needle nose gar and can't find much. Here is my tank setup and stock right now.

125 gallon with 30 gallon sump.

Stock:
1 6" jack dempsey
2 GT's 4"
2 clown loaches 2"
1 14" common pleco
1 3" flowerhorn
1 2" synadontis
1 5" pictus cat
6 Giant danios
2 Convicts

My lfs has a small needle nose gar about 4". Would it cause hell in my tank? or would it be a nice addition
 
Xenentodon cancila or Asian needlefish are quite large predatory fish closely related to the halfbeaks and similar to them in basic shape. Maximum size in aquaria is around 30 cm (12 inches). They are sociable and need to be kept in groups, and consequently the aquarist will need to set aside a large aquarium for this species. Needlefish are very nervous. It is recommended that the tank be planted around the edges and back to allow the fish to recognise the boundaries of the aquarium and so avoid damaging itself when alarmed. These fish often jump, and can easily damage their jaws by flying into the hood or the sides of the tank. Floating plants and gradual rather than sudden changes in lighting will help. Needlefish prefer live foods including river shrimp, woodlice, earthworms, and insects such as mealworms and small crickets. They may also be weaned onto dead foods such as whitebait and silversides. Wild fish feed almost entirely on aquatic crustaceans; the idea that they feed on small fish is erroneous (though they certainly will eat small fish in the aquarium, given the chance).
Wild specimens are found primarily in freshwater and only rarely in brackish waters or the sea. Even so, a small amount of salt (around SG 1.001-1.002) is often said to improve its general health, and in captivity it can be expected to do well in low-salinity brackish water aquaria (to SG 1.005). Not an easy fish and best ignored by beginners, though experienced aquarists will doubtless find this species attractuve and rewarding.
Occasionally some other species are traded, such as various species of South American needlefish, Potamorrhaphis spp.; these have proved extremely delicate and difficult to keep alive. Most of these species need soft and acidic water but a few are brackish as well as freshwater animals. Either way, perfect water quality is required, and even then they do not seem to do well in captivity. Best avoided.


This info was taken from http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/FAQ/6f.html


The mix of the aggressive cichilds may be too much of a stretch for the gars.
 
The FH will demolish all but the pleco, But otherwise i see no reason not to if you buy a small specimen.
 
rucus;3041519; said:
So if I ditch the flowerhorn from this setup I should be ok with a needlenose?
Click to expand...

its possible for the flowerhorn to get along with the other fish. but chances are extremely likely it will destroy anything and everything in the tank as it gets older. but since its still small and young, keep him in there and just watch what goes on. be prepared to move him or sell/trade away at the first sign of aggression.

you should be ok however adding the needlenose if everything else in the tank gets along right now. its not assured however that none of your fish wont decide to try and eat him, so keep a close eye and have another tank on the ready incase you need to move the needlenose, or possibly one or two fish that are harassing it.
 
Seriously though I would not mix that fish with cichlids. They do better in schools and are predatory but not capable of handling aggressive cichlids. Why not add a school of Hujeta Gar (which aren't real gar either) or Red Tail Cuda (which aren't real cuda)?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom