Panda Garra (Garra flavatra)
| Panda Garra Garra flavatra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Panda Garra |
| Name Lat. | Garra flavatra |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | South Asia |
| Habitat | Streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 2-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7-9 cm |
| Temperature | 22-27 °C |
| Hardness | 2-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | 160 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.8"-3.5" |
| Temperature | 72-81 °F |
| Hardness | 36-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | 40 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The magnificent algae eaters are found only in the waters of Rakhine Province in southwestern Myanmar. They prefer to live in the shallow still waters of clear, oxygen-rich streams and tributaries with rocks, boulders and open sandy areas.
Maintenance
The aquarium should be structured with stone structures (caves), boulders and roots as well as free sand areas and have dense planting in places. A substrate of sand or fine gravel, oxygen-rich water and some current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They feed mainly on the vegetable cover (growth) of stones, wood, plants, etc. and the microorganisms found in them. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality sinking dry food (granules, tablets) as well as cyclops, daphnia or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as crushed peas, scalded spinach, zucchini slices or algae leaves.
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are sociable and relatively peaceful fish, which should be kept in a group of 3-4 animals, but better more. Socialization with other peaceful fish, such as Danio, Devario, Puntius or loaches is very possible. Animals kept singly often become aggressive.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Adult males are more slender and develop tubercles on the head.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners, spawning in the early morning over gravelly substrate. After 24-30 hours the larvae hatch and swim freely after about 7 days
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
Strong lighting promotes the growth of algae, which serve as food for them.
Their markings and coloration can vary greatly, with strong yellow or red pigmentation, although it is unclear whether these are different populations.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF