Do a Gar need a air pump "oxygen in water" because i know they gulp air from the surface?

Answer 1

I am assuming you are talking about a needle nose gar. Needle nose gar are famouse for sucking straight air over ther gill plates . It kills any bacteria that is growing on ther plates and allows them to stay healthy. You should really have an air pump or a water filter going. You still need a way to circulate the water to get the carbon monixide out of the water. Standing water means trouble. It will become stagnent after acouple of days.

Answer 2

Yes a Gar needs an air pump or some sort of water circulation that breaks the surface tension of the water. All oxygen and carbon dioxide is exchanged at the surface, not lower in the water column, so even a column of air bubbles adds oxygen only at the surface. A filter system with a spray bar or a HOB filter (hang on the back) also add oxygen by breaking surface tension.

As for gulping air, most fish are not equipped to gather oxygen from the surface, the exception are Gars, and Labyrinth fish (Anabantoids; Gouramis, ect.) which have a lung like (physostomous) gas bladder which permits air-breathing to supplement their gills, allowing them to live in low-oxygen conditions.

But even with this organ, these fish do much better when oxygen is dissolved in the water and with proper filtration, especially bio filtration (removal of ammonia, nitrites, ect.).

For much more aquatic information with lots of links:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Information.html

Answer 3

Yes, all fish need air pumped into the water so they can breathe with their gills, even if they gulp the air.

Answer 4

its a good idea to have an air pump and adequate filtration for any fish. gar grow quickly and need lots of room.