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Tropical Gar


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#1 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 30 August 2007 - 03:00 AM

Does anyone know if tropical gar are called marbled gar in the tropical fish trade market?

I was in a exotic fish store, and they had a gar labeled Marbled Gar. It was about 6" long, and had a wide mouth like an Aligator Gar. The store owner said it came from South America, although each fish species could be called a number of things.
Anway it can't be a Longnosed Gar, Shortnosed Gar, Spotted Gar, or Florida Gar, because its mouth is too wide.
It has to be a Aligator Gar, Cuban Gar or a Tropical Gar because of its wide mouth.
It could be a Aligator Gar or a Cuban Gar but they are not native to South America.
Tropical Gar are Native to Central America, but not South America, but its the closest.

I was tempted to get it, but I want to know what it realy is first.

Mike

#2 Guest_Brooklamprey_*

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Posted 30 August 2007 - 08:23 AM

It is likely not a gar at all but one of the many "Pike Characins" in the family Ctenoluciidae.

Tropical Gars (Atractosteus tropicus) are really not seen in the hobby and in total only three shipments of these fish have ever been imported into the US. These fish are not from South America actually..they range from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. With the cost and Rarity of these fish in the hobby you will not likely ever find one mis-labeled or in a standard LFS.

Here are photos of the true Tropical Gar:

Attached Images

  • TropgarNov.jpg
  • tropicus1.jpg
  • tropicus2.jpg


#3 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 31 August 2007 - 08:49 AM

It was deffinetly a gar, so it must have been an Aligator Gar, I've seen them in another pet store before.
Cuban Gar would be harder to come by then Tropical Gar, so it couldn't be that eather.
It must not have been from South America like the storekeeper told me.

I'm glad I did not get it now.

Mike

#4 Guest_teleost_*

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Posted 31 August 2007 - 09:49 AM

Mike,

My curiosity has the best of me here and I think I might take a trip and see this gar this weekend if I have the time. Do you mind telling me which pet shop it is?

#5 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 01 September 2007 - 10:49 PM

Mike,

My curiosity has the best of me here and I think I might take a trip and see this gar this weekend if I have the time. Do you mind telling me which pet shop it is?


Hi Uland,

The pet store was on route 30 in Sheriville, IN. I think the name of it was Exotic Fish, but I'm not sure.
It was on the North side of the street, in a strip mall.

I will drive by and let you know exactly where its at, and its name.

I saw the other Aligator Gar at Scott's Pet Shop in Westchester, IL. They had them their a number of times.
They also had other North American fish in the past, including:
Paddlefish, Dogfish
Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bullhead, Northern Pike, Tiger Musky, Crappie
Newts

Mike

#6 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 12:43 AM

Holy Crap, Paddlefish, Muskie, etc.?? Do they sell monkeys too?

#7 Guest_teleost_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 01:00 AM

Holy Crap, Paddlefish, Muskie, etc.?? Do they sell monkeys too?


Only if you know the secret handshake :wink:

#8 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 01:24 AM

Holy Crap, Paddlefish, Muskie, etc.?? Do they sell monkeys too?



They might eat your fish.

#9 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 01:43 AM

Holy Crap, Paddlefish, Muskie, etc.?? Do they sell monkeys too?



They have Sturgeon a lot of the time too, but I did not include them because I don't think they are the North American species.

Some people must have big tanks, or there are a lot of fish disposed of that get too big.
You see this in any pet store though. If its not a Tiger Musky its more likely a redtailed catfish or some other exotic.


Mike

#10 Guest_teleost_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 10:10 AM

Mike,

Was it called the Ark? Near Taft and Rt 30? It's a little bit west of I-65.

#11 Guest_Mike_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 10:37 PM

Mike,

Was it called the Ark? Near Taft and Rt 30? It's a little bit west of I-65.


Hi Uland,

No, Its called Crystal Clear Aquarium. just east of Route 41 on Rt 30 in Oak Ridge Center (strip mall)
Its in Schereville, IN Phone # (219)322-1132
The adress on the door said 146
Look for Oak Ridge Center sign on the north side of Route 30
Its spot on the sign says:
EXOTIC FISH
322-1132
CRYSTAL CLEAR AQUARIUM

I stopped there this evening but they were already closed.

Hope this helps

Mike

#12 Guest_teleost_*

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Posted 02 September 2007 - 11:16 PM

Thanks Mike. I live just 15 minutes away from that place. I'll stop by tomorrow if I get my chores done.

#13 Guest_Brooklamprey_*

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Posted 03 September 2007 - 07:38 AM

Thanks Mike. I live just 15 minutes away from that place. I'll stop by tomorrow if I get my chores done.


Get a photo if you get a chance Uland ;)

#14 Guest_bullhead_*

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Posted 04 September 2007 - 10:43 PM

Hi Uland,

No, Its called Crystal Clear Aquarium. just east of Route 41 on Rt 30 in Oak Ridge Center (strip mall)

...

Mike


The whole of Route 30 is strip mall, anymore.



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