Tag Archives: pet store

I have a 50 gallon tank with a medium crayfish at the bottom (roughly 3 in.), an Oscar (3 in.) half the size of the needlefish (6 in.), and a Jack Dempsey (2 in.). For almost a week, I have been buying small Rosy Red minnows (1-1.5 in.) and have been feeding them to my fish. When the minnows swim near the needlefish, he will often stare, come closer to observe it, and not attempt to eat it. Due to this, the Oscar ends up eating most of the minnows. I have also tried small live ghost shrimp and crickets, but the needlefish will still refuse to eat those. My friend recommended feeding him the frozen shrimp cubes, but I have heard that does not work because the needlefish only eats live food. The Oscar, Jack Dempsey, and Crayfish never bother or bite the needlefish. Therefore, I believe that they are not stressing him out. I bought the needlefish from a local pet store for $9. He looked normal and healthy in the store as he swam close to the top. I asked one of the workers about the needlefish and he said it was called a freshwater “needlefish gar” and was from South America.
6-4-2010: Thank you very much Sibyl and Gary. To answer your question Gary, yes, I have some ornaments and plants in the tank. There is plenty of gravel, two rocks, one large plastic plant, and one small one. The JD and Oscar have not uprooted them yet. Almost more than a week and a half ago, the needlefish was doing okay. He ate two small minnows. It is only recently, like the past week, that he seemed to be stressed and refused to eat. I do not want him to die, but it seems that time is running out. At the moment, aside from the occupied 50 gallon, I only have one empty ten gallon tank and no filters available. So far, I see my first option as attempting to give him or sell him away to a local pet store or hobbyist. My second option would be to place a divider and much more plants in the tank. What do you think of these options? I am also disappointed in the pet store clerk because he said that the JD, Oscar, and Needlefish would all get along. Do you know of any other options?