Marbled Gar

The marble gar is an ambush predator relying on the spotted and striped pattern to blend into the background as he (or she) slowly maneuvers near the victim before he (or she) strikes. Using small teeth, the gar grabs the victim and chews it a bit before swallowing. If this sounds alluring, then this is the fish for you. Marble gars are great aquarium predators; these fish are not monsters. The marble or spotted gar grows to "only" ten inches, unlike the Florida gar which quickly outgrows any fish tank. Also, marble gars get along with other species that cannot fit in his mouth. Some hobbyists adapted these predators to cichlid pellets, but please do not rely on that and have live feeders ready.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Gars are fast, long-bodied predators. Give them open swimming space, strong filtration and a heavy, tight lid.

Feeding: Feed meaty foods like frozen shrimp and fish, plus floating carnivore pellets once they learn to take them.

Tankmates: They will eat any fish that fits in their mouth. Keep them only with large, robust fish.

Good to know: Marbled gars are pike characins, not true gars, and they stay much smaller than real gars.