Gar Characin

Geographic Origin and Biotope: South America (Magdalena River basin and coastal rivers of Venezuela). Hunts by waiting motionless near the surface, sheltered by floating vegetation in calm lagoons and oxbow lakes.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Hujeta Pike Characin / Gar Characin (Ctenolucius hujeta). It is not a pike or a gar, but a predatory Characin. Elongated and extremely tapered shape; extended upper mouth full of needle-like teeth.

Social Behavior: Although a predator, it is actually a shy, calm and gregarious fish. Should be kept in small groups (4-6 specimens); if kept singly it becomes very nervous and darts terrified against the glass.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery or iridescent golden livery with conspicuous scales. Has a conspicuous black spot at the base of the caudal fin. Females grow much larger and are more massive in the abdomen, males develop longer and jagged anal fins.

Aquarium Setup: Needs very long tanks (minimum 150 cm / 60 inches) tightly covered to prevent disastrous leaps. Keep the upper area clear for swimming, with large clumps of floating plants on the sides for lying in wait.

Diet and Feeding: Strictly piscivorous/carnivorous. Devours live fish, but must absolutely be weaned (with patience) to dead fish, shelled shrimp, mussels and squid strips administered via tweezers on the surface. Ignores sinking food or vegetable pellets.

Water Quality: Requires strong oxygenation and water free of nitrogenous compounds, as large fish fed meat pollute a lot. Oversized biological filtration, but gentle outlet flow so as not to disturb them on the surface.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Peaceful with those who do not fit in its mouth (fish over 6 cm / 2.5 inches). Excellent with bottom Loricariids, Geophagus, large Tetras, and calm Cichlids. Forbidden with pufferfish, fin-nippers (Tiger Barbs) or violent cichlids.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rare. Well-matched pairs lay large quantities (up to 1000) of non-adhesive eggs, scattering them in open waters or among floating vegetation, and then lose interest or prey on them.

Risks and Diseases: The elongated snout is very delicate: collisions against the glass due to panic cause jaw fractures that are almost always fatal or fungal infections on the snout ("beak fungus").