Freshwater Barracuda

Also know as the Hujeta Gar they are a long slender fish with large silver scales. As these fish mature the scales show an iridescent blue to golden coloration making for a fantastic fish. Hujeta Gar have a long snout with an upper jaw that is longer than the bottom which they use to hunt smaller fish. These fish can be found in schools just below the surface of the water where they hunt invertebrates, smaller fish and other small animals that fall into the water. They originate from South America, the species was first described in 1850 by Valenciennes.

Though they carry different common names such as the Hujeta Gar and Freshwater Barracuda they are in fact a type of Characin. The species Characin are best know as Tetra. Hujeta Gar can grow to a massive size of 28” in the wild but typically max out at around 12” in the aquarium. These fish are fast moving predators but tend to be skittish in the aquarium setting. Fast movement outside of the tank may cause the fish to scare and dart across the tank. Caution should be taken when approaching an aquarium with Hujeta Gar as they may become skittish and crash into the aquarium walls. For this reason a tight fitted lid is also important as the Hujeta Gar are competent jumpers. Hujeta Gar spend all of their time at the surface of the water and make good tank mates for fish that cannot fit into their mouths, as they are steadfast predators to small prey but generally a timid fish around like sized tank mates. As long as their tank mates are not overly territorial they can be kept communally.

Generally the Hujeta Gar comes from still waters. They are highly adaptive and a hardy aquarium fish. However due to their large size and fast movements we recommend experienced hobbyists take on the task of housing a Hujeta Gar. As predators they appreciate frozen foods, worms, insects, fish and crustaceans. Care should be taken with good amount as these fish tend to over the at of given the change which may lead to complications. As a juvenile they are suitable in a 55-75 gallon aquarium as they mature a tank of 150+ gallons will be needed. As carnivores these fish produce much waste and as such weekly water changes of 35% - 50% are appropriate. The Hujeta Gar is a fantastic show fish that will be sure to impress!