Care
The Rocket Garfish is known from the Rao Magdalena and Rao Sina basins in northern Colombia, eastwards to rivers draining into Lago de Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela. Few precise details are known of the natural habitat of this piscivorous species, but it is thought to spend much of the time lurking amongst vegetation in the upper levels of calmer water, where it hunts smaller fish. The aquarium should be spacious and mature, with tangles of driftwood and dense thickets of tall plants to provide shade and hiding places. Floating vegetation can also be useful in helping to diffuse the light and will provide additional shelter and security for the fish. Filtration should be efficient, although water movement need not be too vigorous, and regular partial water changes will assist in keeping nitrogenous wastes to a minimum. Despite their predatory nature, Rocket Garfish are peaceful with one another and are best kept in groups of 5 or more. Juvenile fish often display shoaling behaviour, and although adults are mostly solitary, they will still group together loosely at times. Tankmates must be chosen carefully - ideal companions would include peaceful fish of similar size which occupy the mid to lower levels of the tank, such as Geophagus spp., silver dollars, along with doradid and loricariid catfishes. Interestingly, the Rocket Garfish has small, moustache-like lip membranes which act as accessory breathing organs when the fish encounter environments with a low level of dissolved oxygen. May also be seen on sale as the Freshwater Barracuda, Gar Characin, or Hujeta Gar.
Feeding
In the wild, this species feeds exclusively on smaller fish, but adapts well to the taking of meaty frozen foods in the home aquarium. Smaller specimens can be offered bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc, whilst larger individuals will enjoy krill, chopped prawns, chopped mussel meat, and chopped white fish fillets.
Breeding
This species has been bred in the home aquarium, but it is not a common occurrence. Following a courtship ritual consisting of displaying and chasing, spawning occurs at the water's surface. The pair come together in a parallel position, the male clasping the female using his anal fin, with the rear portions of their bodies lifting above the water's surface, as eggs and milt are released simultaneously. This process is repeated until the female is spent of eggs, which may number up to 3000 in larger individuals. The eggs should hatch within 24 hours and the fry will be free-swimming 2-3 days later. At this point they can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii). It is imperative to keep the fry well-fed with several meals per day, otherwise cannibalism may occur. With such regular feedings, it is important to keep on top of water quality.
