Instructions
Keep the marbled gar in a school setting. Avoid placing the fish into an aquarium where smaller fish, or other predators exist. Plecs, barbs, and other large, peaceful fish can make an acceptable aquarium community for the marbled gar. Otherwise, you should only keep a marbled gar in an aquarium with others of its kind.
Place plants into the aquarium. Since the marbled gar spends most of its time near the top of the tank, floating plants, or plants that extend to the water's surface, are most useful. These can provide a barrier that will keep the marbled gar from hitting the sides or the top of the aquarium, if it is frightened. Live plants in a tank can also reduce the amount of algae.
Feed marbled gars at dawn and dusk, as this is when they are most likely to eat. Remove dead fish or plant matter from the aquarium, and keep the aquarium in a slightly cool, dark environment to inhibit algae growth. This is also the type of environment that a marbled gar thrives in.
Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that could frighten the marbled gar. Suddenly turning the lights on in a dark room, or shouting can send these fish into a panic. You should also routinely change the aquarium water. Marbled gars prefer water that has a slightly acidic pH level.
Keep marbled gars that extend up to eight inches, in a tank that is at least large enough to hold 55 gallons of water. The marbled gar should be given plenty of open space in which to swim, so the aquarium should not be filled with too many other fish.
How to Care for a Marble Gar in an Aquarium
The marbled gar, also known by the names "Spotted Pike Characin" and its scientific name, "Boulengerella maculata," is a predator that feeds on smaller fish. In an aquarium setting, its fearful nature can cause it to inadvertently hurt or kill itself. Although this fish usually dines on live insects or fish, it can also be trained to eat frozen substitutes or pellets.