Needle nose Gar in 55 gallon

[fishyfish4023]

I was wondering if a needle nose gar is suited for a 55 gallon aquarium. if so can you give me specifics like what kind of fish are compatible with them and if they need to be in groups? :thankyouyellow:

[Rocksor]

If you are talking about Xenentodon cancila, then a 55g is not wide enough. You need at least 18" front to back.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/fish/freshwatergarfish2.php

[fishyfish4023]

yes that is the fish I am talking about, thanks for the information.

[jaysee]

If you want a needle nose gar for a 55, you might like belonesox - the pike topminnow. They top out at 8 inches and have a mouth full of nasty teeth, which they use to devour feeders. Oh, and they are a livebearer, though raising the fry is extremely difficult - they eat each other if not kept full (with feeders).

[fishyfish4023]

Thanks, does it need to be kept in groups? do feeders need a filter and heater? what kind of feeders (rosy red minnows or goldfish)?

[Rocksor]

rosy red minnows and goldfish should never be fed to piscivores due to those fish containing thiaminase, leading to thiaminase deficiency syndrome. This prevents the fish from taking in vitamin B1, leading to many health issues.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_1/thiaminase.htm

[jaysee]

Best thing to do is raise your own feeders. The you can gut load them with high quality food like NLS, thereby transferring it to the predatory fish. That's a standard practice for feeding fish that require live food.

[fishyfish4023]

what species should I breed?

[aquariumlover10]

Platies, there live bearers too and don't eat there fry so there purfect, ask slaphppy7 about his platy farm. Haha

[jaysee]

Yeah I agree - platies.

[aquariumlover10]

Also you could do red cherry shrimp as a treat for them.

[fishyfish4023]

okay thanks for the infothumbs2: