Panda Garra
Garra flavatra
The Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating, hardworking and charismatic algae-eaters in the fishkeeping world. Very different from the classic grey and hidden Plecostomus, this small bottom fish (7-9 cm / 3.5 inches) sports an amazing color contrast: thick alternating bands of deep gold and dark brown/black, with fins tinted a bright coral red. It is not only a useful fish, but a true aquarium star, constantly in sight and endowed with a comical and extroverted personality. However, to thrive long-term, it requires the rigorous simulation of its inhospitable native habitat: strong-current mountain streams.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 27 °C
pH-Wert
6.5 - 7.5
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
9 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 4
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
40 - 240 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
63 - 375 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to western Myanmar (Burma), in the waterways of the Arakan Mountains. It is a typical inhabitant of cool, highly oxygenated mountain streams with bottoms of stones, pebbles, and gravel on which a thick film of sun-exposed algal biofilm grows.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Cyprinid adapted to fast bottoms (rheophilic). Club-shaped morphology, lacking a functional swim bladder to sink effortlessly in rapids. The ventral sucker mouth is modified into a disc shape to adhere tenaciously to rocks under extreme currents while scraping biofilm. Reaches 8-9 cm (3.5 inches).
Social Behavior: Highly gregarious and extremely peaceful, but with complex intraspecific hierarchical interactions. They often stage "power dances" side-by-side, pushing each other and fading their colors, without injury. Absolutely must be kept in a school of at least 5-6 specimens; keeping it alone induces depression and fatal apathy.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The livery is exquisite and unusual for scraping species: dark chocolate-brown body with massive bright yellow/golden vertical bands (hence the name Panda). Fins have red hues. In mature females, the belly is distinctly swollen, while dominant males develop prominent breeding tubercles (horny spikes) on the snout and head.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: The aquarium must replicate a stream (Hillstream). Use a powerful filter or wavemakers generating a torrential water flow from one side of the tank to the other. Decor based on piles of large, smooth, polished river pebbles. Plants are not present in their core biotope, but Anubias and Ferns attached to wood are well tolerated.
Diet and Feeding: Primary consumer of biofilm and aufwuchs, but unlike other algae eaters, it has a strong omnivorous tendency. Provide sinking vegetable tablets (Spirulina), zucchini and cucumber slices, supplemented twice a week with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, which it consumes voraciously by scraping them from the bottom.
Water Quality: Requires pure, pristine, and hyper-oxygenated waters. Temperatures of 22.0-27.0 °C (72-80 °F). Neutral pH (6.5-7.5) and medium hardness (GH 2.0-12.0). Water quality is vital: organic pollutants, nitrates above 20mg/l, and stagnant water depress the immune system leading to fatal bacterial skin infections.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect creature for rheophilic community aquariums ("Hillstream tanks"). Excellent companions are Balitorids (Sewellia, Gastromyzon), fast Danios, Rasboras, and peaceful Corydoras. Completely ignores other fish. Do not insert with large, aggressive territorial bottom-dwelling Cichlids.
Aquarium Breeding: Very rare and difficult, but possible provided females are conditioned with massive doses of live food and a drastic change of fresh oxygenated water, simulating the onset of the Burmese monsoon season. They scatter free eggs among the pebbles at dawn. Breeders must then be removed to prevent cannibalism.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to bacterial diseases like Flexibacter columnaris if placed in immature aquariums or with poor substrate hygiene. The major cause of death among novices is oxygen deprivation and chronic starvation induced by the myth that it "only eats algae, cleaning the glass".
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to western Myanmar (Burma), in the waterways of the Arakan Mountains. It is a typical inhabitant of cool, highly oxygenated mountain streams with bottoms of stones, pebbles, and gravel on which a thick film of sun-exposed algal biofilm grows.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeSüd- und SüdostasienOstasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Active
- They are very active, comical, and overwhelmingly peaceful community fish. They establish a loose hierarchy within their group, often engaging in playful chasing without causing harm. Their continuous grazing and quirky resting positions make them highly entertaining to observe.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- They are omnivorous grazers that naturally feed on biofilm, algae, and small benthic organisms. In the aquarium, they enthusiastically accept sinking algae wafers, vegetable matter, and high-quality pellets. Supplementing their diet with occasional frozen bloodworms or daphnia keeps them exceptionally healthy.
- Lebenserwartung
- 4-6 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 9 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- Group
- Sexing them is difficult, but mature females often appear noticeably plumper when gravid. Males may develop tiny breeding tubercles on their snouts when ready to spawn. They are best kept in a small group of at least four to six individuals to encourage natural social behaviors.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- They should be offered food once or twice daily, specifically utilizing sinking foods that reach the bottom. Providing smooth rocks for natural algae grazing allows them to forage constantly between scheduled meals. Ensure that food reaches them before faster mid-water swimming fish consume it entirely.
- Bioload
- Medium
- The Panda Garra produces a moderate bioload for a fish of its relatively small size. Strong mechanical and biological filtration is necessary to keep their water exceptionally clean. They are sensitive to organic waste buildup, making weekly water changes absolutely essential.
- Fluss
- Strong
- Originating from fast-flowing, oxygen-rich hillstreams, they thrive in aquariums with high water movement. Employing powerheads or strong canister filters to simulate a river environment is highly recommended. High levels of dissolved oxygen are crucial for their long-term health and vitality.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- These active fish are skilled climbers and jumpers, especially when first introduced to a new aquarium. A tight-fitting lid is strictly required to prevent them from scaling the glass and escaping. Ensure there are no small gaps around equipment cables or filter pipes.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Panda Garra in captivity is challenging but occasionally achieved by dedicated hobbyists. It usually requires specialized river-manifold setups that simulate highly oxygenated seasonal floods. A diet rich in live foods is necessary to condition the females for spawning.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Community
- They are incredibly peaceful and make excellent additions to community aquariums with similarly peaceful tank mates. They pair perfectly with rasboras, small tetras, and calm bottom-dwellers like Corydoras. However, they should not be kept with aggressive cichlids or fish capable of swallowing them.
- Tankfüllstand
- Bottom
- They are primarily bottom-dwellers that spend their time resting on or grazing across the substrate. They love to attach themselves to smooth river stones and the aquarium glass using their specialized mouths. Providing a variety of broad-leaved plants and smooth cobbles creates an ideal environment.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00794, b = 3.04
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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