Gar care guides

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Gar Fish Care Guide

A care guide for gar species (family Lepisosteidae) in the home aquarium and pond, covering alligator gar, spotted gar, longnose gar, and Florida gar. These prehistoric predators require enormous tanks, specialised feeding, and decades of commitment.

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Arapaima (Arapaima gigas)

Arapaima gigas

The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is the largest scaled freshwater fish on Earth, with wild specimens exceeding 3 metres and 200 kg. A living fossil whose lineage predates the breakup of Gondwana, it is an obligate air breather that surfaces every 10–20 minutes to gulp atmospheric air through a modified swim bladder. For the ultrarare private aquarist with the resources to maintain a heated indoor pond, the Arapaima is the ultimate display specimen — a prehistoric leviathan that eats from the hand and recognises its keeper. This The Fish Collection guide covers the full spectrum of Arapaima husbandry, from legal compliance and pond construction to diet protocols and disease prevention, drawing on our consultation work with private collectors and public aquaria across three continents.

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Alligator Gar

Atractosteus spatula

The Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) is the largest species in the gar family and one of the largest freshwater fish in North America, capable of exceeding 3 metres (10 feet) in length and 140 kg (300 lb) in the wild. Named for its broad, alligator-like snout and double row of upper teeth, this prehistoric predator belongs to a lineage dating back over 100 million years. While their ancient lineage and imposing appearance make them fascinating aquarium subjects, their extreme adult size means they are only suitable for keepers with custom-built facilities. This guide covers the species' biology, care requirements, legal considerations, and realistic expectations for private keeping.

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Platinum Gar

Lepisosteus spp.

The term "Platinum Gar" refers to leucistic, xanthic, or albino colour variants of various gar species — most commonly the Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus), Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus), or Shortnose Gar (Lepisosteus platostomus). These colour morphs produce striking silver-white, cream, or gold-toned fish that contrast dramatically with the typical dark olive-and-spotted wild-type appearance. Highly prized by collectors and monster-fish enthusiasts, Platinum Gar command premium prices and are among the most sought-after colour morphs in the predatory fish hobby.