10 inch Gar

Okay I know i'm going to get some hate on this.

I just bought a 10 inch florida/spotted gar from my LFS and I put it in my 75 gallon which is currently heavily stocked (every 3rd day water changes keeps nitrates under control though). I also have a goldfish in there temporarily because my outdoor pond is being relocated along with landscape. so currently my worries are will the gar eat the goldfish even though he is to big to fit in its mouth (the goldfish is 3-4 inches long and pretty chunky).

My other problem is how do I switch the gar over to pellets ive done it before with my channel catfish but the gar is just so much more picky.

one last question: I AM NOT keeping the gar long term just long enough to switch it over to pellets because I am getting paid by my LFS to switch him over to pellets (good amount actually) but they said I could keep the gar for as long as I want to and whenever I bring him back is when the deal is done. but HOW LONG can I keep the gar in my 75 gallon with his size. do not worry about water quality I check every day and change the water very frequently.

I really don't want to keep the gar for long if he can't stay in the tank at his size.

 

If they're paying you, why did you have to buy it?

I'm not a fan of getting fish knowing you have to rehome him, so personally I would return him now and forget about the pellet thing. The LFS should be perfectly capable of doing it themselves.

If you won't do that though, maybe return him after he gets a few inches longer, though I would worry about him messing with the goldfish.

 

I didnt actually pay for it I just typed bought because I'm just used to typing that. I'll have to end up moving my gold fish into my poor mans tank (large garbage can with a large sponge filter). sorry TexasDomer I still do want to keep him for a little while even though I have to give back the gar. does anyone know a quick way to switch the gar to pellets?

 

I'd be shocked that the gar doesn't just wreck shop in your tank. At least the wild ones I've caught.....they are savage.

 

Purely speaking, most wild North American fish seem way way more aggressive and strong then anything I've seen in pet shop. I once put a bluegill in with some cichlids.....mistake. I ended up with only the bluegill.

 

that's why I'm getting a little worried now the more and more reasearch I do it makes me ready to take the gar back. but then when I look in the tank hes just slowly swimming around. I'm probably going to take him back now.

 

I've heard stories of gars easily breaking glass. I would rehome him, and do research before adding fish

 

As stated above, the other fish may be hunted down by the gar. And as you don't want to keep the far but want to keep your other fish, I would give it back to the LFS or invest in a very large tank.

 

If it was easy and there was a "quick" way to convert him to pellets, the shop would have done it already.

 

As stated above, the other fish may be hunted down by the gar. And as you don't want to keep the far but want to keep your other fish, I would give it back to the LFS or invest in a very large tank.

May be hunted? Bahahahaha, go fishing in gar infested water....I've noticed when they hunt it's in shallow water.....and everything jumps out of the water to get away....even bass. I still have scars on my hand from garr from accidently catching one in elementary school. They are mean and have the teat to back up that attitude.

 

I just got back from my lfs with no gar so the gar problem is officially over

Thanks for the help anyway