Re: Rocket gar 10/22/07
Hi, thank you very much for the web site about the rocket gar. I'm sorry to repeat any previous information that was said before, but I was wondering if the rocket gars are more of a schooling fish and would enjoy the company of another one rather than being alone. Thank you very much for your time and effort.
<Yes, Ctenolucius hujeta is a schooling species. We have an article about these and other "mini killers" here at WWM: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/pikefishes.htm . There's also another article about this family of Characins here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/extcharcins1.htm . Truly, if you have a dig around, you'll find articles on just about everything aquatic here! Cheers, Neale>

Fish room 10/21/07
Hi, I have two Jack Dempsey's, two fire mouth cichlids, 1 Zig Zag eel, 1 red crayfish, 1 Chinese algae eater and 1 rocket gar. I have them all in a 75 gallon tank and they are doing wonderful. I was just wondering though, if it could be possible to place an African clawed frog in the tank also. I have had one before but I wasn't sure if adding another one would work. Thank you for your time and effort.
<Greetings. I'm surprised the Chinese algae eater (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri) and the JDs aren't causing havoc yet. Zig-zag Spiny eels (I assume Mastacembelus armatus or Mastacembelus favus) is large but peaceful, and the Rocket Gar (Ctenolucius hujeta) is very nervous and easily scared (and then damaged as it flings itself about the tank). So long term I'd be waiting to see casualties. But if things are working out, fine. But no, adding a frog of any kind to this tank would be foolish. If nothing else, the Chinese algae eater will probably try and suck their skins, and frogs have very, very delicate skins. Chinese algae eater become steadily more aggressive as they mature, and once about 20 cm or so, most specimens become completely hostile to everything in the tank. JDs are also very territorial, and anything slow and clumsy like a frog could be easily bullied. Bottom line, mixing fish and amphibians is generally not a good idea unless you have a specific combination that you know will work. So rather than trying to add random animals to your tank, why not just keep the fish you have *better*. Ctenolucius hujeta is a schooling fish: best kept in groups of 3-5. So if you're going to add more things, why not bump up their numbers, so they're happy instead of lonely? I'd honestly get ready to move out the Chinese algae eater. Cheers, Neale.>