Needlenose Fish

[sgmegan]

I was wondering if anywho who has had Needlenose fish before could help me out!
I have been researching them for a long time as I am looking at getting one, and so far I havent got any definate answers to my questions!
Right now I have a 70gal and a 30gal the 30gal( long tank) is set up and ready for fish! I know that it is not big enough for a needlenose for long, but from what I have read start them out in a smaller tank...obviously not too small.... and then as the grow introduce them to a bigger tank. (correct me if I am wrong)
Also "the big debate"...feeders or no feeders, obviously I DO NOT want my fish to be killed by feeders carrying fungus or disease so what would be the BEST feeding option possible for theses guys, I haveheard they can be pretty picky but then again I have heard of people feeding them freeze dried kirll no problem...
What should tghe water qualities be.... for temp, salt or no salt...ect? Salt has been a big debate when I have been researching, I have heard when they mature you should add some salt, but then breeders of them have said they have never had to #16##### salt....

If ANYONE could help me out that would be great!!
I am not going to get one of these guys unless I get all the info about them, thanks to anyone who can help me out=)

 

[always4lora]

Hi'

I presume the species you are looking at is > Xenocara dolichopterus it's not a true gar.

They get a bit over a foot normally and if you are thinking of getting a group i'd got for something like a 150g for life. They're pretty skittish and bigger the tank the less chance of them damaging themselves there is, plus bigger the tank the easy to keep the water stats at a decent level.
If the 70g is empty then put them straight in there. Not worth the stress on the fish moving them everytime they get a bit bigger.

For feeding don't bother with feeders. In the UK it's illegal for stores to sell you fish with the intention off feeding them. Plus why bother? nothing gained through feeding live fish. I currently have a florida gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) growing out in a 100g it's currently about 4 inch and is eating floating pellets. if you get a decent quality pellet food then you're sorted. If you're in the uk look at the hikari products if youre US look at NLS as they do some really good foods.

You don't need to keep them in brackish conditons but some salt is recommended by some. As for the temp these are fine in normal tropical temps so 24-29oC.

 

[shroob]

Needlenose need a big tank, have you thought about other species that are similar, easy to care for?

Halfbeaks may suit your tastes, theres a variety of them so I would make sure you correctly ID them as they have differing needs.
Ctenolucius hujeta are also a 'gar' like fish, but probably need a tank bigger than 70 gallons depending on its dimensions.