Tropical gar
Atractosteus tropicus
- Tank length
- 300 cmabout 10 ft (118 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C68–79 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Adult size
- 52 cm20 in
- Lifespan
- 15–20 yrs
Smallest Atractosteus but still a metre-long predator that needs a very long tank and a secure lid.Smallest Atractosteus but still a metre-long predator that needs a very long tank and a secure lid.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
Tropical gar may eat Acei cichlidTropical gar may eat Acei cichlid
- African butterfly cichlid
Tropical gar may eat African butterfly cichlidTropical gar may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Tropical gar may eat African clawed frogTropical gar may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Tropical gar may eat Agassiz's coryTropical gar may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Tropical gar may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishTropical gar may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpTropical gar may eat Amano shrimpTropical gar may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Tropical gar may eat American flagfishTropical gar may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Tropical gar may eat Angfa rainbowfishTropical gar may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Tropical gar may eat Arfak rainbowfishTropical gar may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailTropical gar may eat Assassin snailTropical gar may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Tropical gar may eat Banded gouramiTropical gar may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Tropical gar may eat Bandit coryTropical gar may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 20–26 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Southern Mexico to Costa Rica | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | top | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 15–20 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 36 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 300 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |