Gar id

[Shane87]

Hi, I want to get this gar but want to research 1st. It just had gar written on the tank and the shop was to busy to ask anyone so I am hoping someone on here can help?

 

[bettaowner]

Looks like a spotted gar.

 

[CichlidSensai]

Alligator gar

 

[jetajockey]

That short snout makes it a little tricky. After looking at comparison photos I'm leaning towards alligator gar.

Here's a Florida gar/spotted gar

And some other random gar photos (notice the bright coloration).

 

[xwesx1978]

Definitely a florida spotted gar I've caught hundred of them , I hope you have a really big track because they get pretty big I've seen 24 inch ones and bigger

 

[xwesx1978]

Actually might be baby gator gar after looking at the pic more , they get to a couple hundred pounds in the wild

 

[jetajockey]

Yeah that nose is what throws me off. It looks like an alligator gar nose. Google pics of juvenile alligator gar.

 

[Shane87]

I was thinking Florida/spotted gar from google images, the top "snout" slightly turns over the bottom jaw if that helps? And yea it will be in a 95g until next summer then it will be going in a 3000-5000g so that's not an issue its just how to care for them, does the car change between species or are they all the same?

 

[Shane87]

Looking at juvi photos of aligator gar I think it is one of them, does that mean it will loose its spots?

 

[jetajockey]

If it is definitely an alligator gar it's not something I would even put in a 5000 gallon pond honestly.

 

[Shane87]

Why? Surly nobody can ever keep them properly if that's the case.

 

[jetajockey]

Why? Surly nobody can ever keep them properly if that's the case.

That's the idea. They shouldn't be sold in aquaria at all. Alligator gar easily get over 10 feet long and several hundred pounds.

 

[Shane87]

Oh.... That sucks they have a tank full of them aswell

 

[Cichlid Kid]

Yeah it's a juvie alligator gar, and yes it'll lose the spots. Not really a fish meant for aquaria or smallish ponds. If your seeking that kinda "oddity, prehistoric" look for an aquarium and wanna go native then maybe go with a florida gar or even something like a grass or chain pickerel.

 

[Shane87]

I'm in the uk and gars rarely come up for sale here that's why it's so disappointing and also the thought that none of them are going to be sold to someone with the right home for them

 

[xwesx1978]

There is a reason you don't see them often , alligator gar are highly protected species , any that make out to the UK were most likely collected illegally

 

[vanimal]

Yeah those are monsters. They get bigger than most fish that we commonly call big like Red Tails, ID Sharks, Arowanas, Peacock Bass, and knife fish. I saw them on river monsters and they get HUGE! But a Florida Gar would be a nice replacement if you ever see one available.

 

[vanimal]

These guys would need a massive aquarium along with excellent filtration and a lot of food. These are aquarium fish too, they get even larger in the wild.

 

[Borderlesscott]

Graphic says it all, Alligator Gar far left.

 

[Shane87]

That's a really useful chart, could you send me the link please? And yea I have already decided against getting it, it's impossible to house a 3 meter beast! I'm normally saying no fish should be banned but the customer should prove that have the right home for it, but these should not be sold IMO. They make red tailed cats look like minnows.