Sucker Head (Garra gotyla)
| Sucker Head Garra gotyla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sucker Head |
| Name Lat. | Garra gotyla |
| Family | Carps |
| Family lat. | Cyprinidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Asia |
| Habitat | Streams, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | 2-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 14 cm |
| Temperature | 18-24 °C |
| Hardness | 2-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 240 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5.5" |
| Temperature | 64-75 °F |
| Hardness | 36-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Indian thread eaters are widespread from Pakistan through northern India and Bangladesh to Myanmar. They live in flowing and stagnant waters with free sandy areas and aquatic plants between rocks and boulders.
Maintenance
The aquarium should be structured with stone structures (caves), boulders and roots as well as free gravel areas and have dense planting in places. A substrate of sand or fine gravel, oxygen-rich water and current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite must be detectable in the water, the nitrate value must 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 that should be kept in a group of 3-4, but preferably more. Occasionally they try to suck on larger fish. A socialization with robust barbs or loaches is well possible Individually kept animals often become aggressive.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Adult males are more slender than females and develop distinct tubercles on the head.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
They are good algae eaters. They do not tolerate high temperatures well in the long run.
Strong lighting promotes the growth of algae, which serves as food for them. The aquarium should be well covered, because they like to jump.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked 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 & EVERS (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 6, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF