Stonelapping Minnow (Garra cambodgiensis)
| Stonelapping Minnow Garra cambodgiensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Stonelapping Minnow |
| Name Lat. | Garra cambodgiensis |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Mountain streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | 2-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12-15 cm |
| Temperature | 20-27 °C |
| Hardness | 1-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.7"-5.9" |
| Temperature | 68-81 °F |
| Hardness | 18-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
Longitudinal Banded Suckermouth Barbs are widely distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Mekong River, the Chao Phraya and Meklong basins, and the river systems of the Malay Peninsula. They prefer to live in fast-flowing, sun-drenched streams and tributaries with clear and oxygen-rich water, rocks, boulders and open sandy areas.
Maintenance
The aquarium should be structured with stone structures (caves), boulders and roots as well as free sandy areas and have some robust plants. A substrate of sand or fine gravel, very bright lighting, oxygen-rich water and a strong current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and 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. A socialization with other peaceful fish, like Danio, Devario, Puntius or loaches is very well 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 slimmer and more strongly colored than females and have more tubercles on the head. At spawning time the males have a red mouth.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
Strong lighting promotes the growth of algae, which serve as food for them.
The aquarium should always be well covered, because the longitudinal banded suction barbs can climb up the glass.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. 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); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF