Species profile

Red Garra

Garra rufa

Common names: Red Garra, Doctor Fish

Recognized speciesGarras

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Adult size

Up to 12 cm

Countries of origin

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
A mature, stable aquarium

Think carefully if

You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
Your tank is newly set up
You keep shrimp you want to protect

The well-known doctor fish, from the Middle East, that nibbles dead skin in spas. Keep a group of at least 5 in 243 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

The well-known doctor fish, from the Middle East, that nibbles dead skin in spas. In the aquarium it prefers cool water and strong flow, and grows to about 12 cm.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Females are often rounder. Males of some species develop bumps on the snout.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter: About 970–1,220 litres an hour
Minimum tank volume: 243 litres
Minimum tank length: 120 cm
Minimum group size: 5
Recommended group size: 8
Activity level: Active
Flow preference: High
Planting preference: Lightly planted
Hiding places: Yes
Lid recommended: Yes
Jumping risk: Moderate

Use smooth rocks and pebbles, strong flow and plenty of oxygen, as it comes from fast-flowing streams. A tight lid helps too.

Behaviour and Tankmates

A busy grazer that works over rocks and glass, and often squabbles harmlessly with its own kind.

Keep a small group where the tank allows.

Can chase others of its kind, without much damage.

Suits a cool, well-oxygenated stream setup with fish that like similar conditions. It is likely to eat shrimp.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature: 14–20 °C
pH: 6–8
GH: 1–15
Stability importance: Very important

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. This fish prefers cooler water than most tropical fish, and it may not need a heater in a warm room.

Parameter caveat

Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.

Feeding

Diet types: Aufwuchs Grazer, Herbivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency: Daily
Preferred foods: Spirulina or algae wafersShould make up much of the diet.
Blanched vegetablesCourgette, cucumber and peas work well. Remove leftovers within a day.
Small frozen foodsAn occasional addition for protein.

Grazes on algae and biofilm, and readily takes prepared foods.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type: Egg Scatterer
Breeding difficulty: Moderate
Parental care: None
Baby foods: InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin: Asia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey
Natural habitat: River
Audience level: Intermediate

Classification

Profile type: Recognized species
Genus: Garra
Family: Cyprinidae
Species group: Fish, Garras

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