Panda Garra care guide
Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) — minimum tank 80 L, temperature 20-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.5.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) is a small cyprinid endemic to coastal hill streams of western Myanmar. The body is marked with broad dark vertical bars and orange-yellow accents, recalling the colour pattern of a panda.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Garra
- Scientific name: Garra flavatra
- Common synonyms: Garra flavatra, Striped Garra
Habitat
Native to clear, fast-flowing hill streams of the Rakhine Yoma range in western Myanmar, with rocky substrates, smooth boulders and high oxygenation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 6-8 cm
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Water flow: high
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
A grazing herbivore that scrapes biofilm and algae from rocks. In aquaria supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables and occasional small live or frozen foods. Maintain mature surfaces for biofilm grazing.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive species toward conspecifics; keep singly or in a group of five or more in a tank of at least 80 L. Compatible with active cyprinids and other current-loving species; provide hiding places and strong flow.
Breeding
Captive breeding has been reported but is uncommon; spawning takes place over rocky substrate in cool, well-oxygenated water.
Panda Garra Breeding Guide
Overview
Garra flavatra is an algae-grazing cyprinid from Myanmar that has been bred commercially since 2008 at Hein Aquarium in Yangon to reduce pressure on wild stocks. The IUCN Red List classifies the species as Vulnerable (2010). Home breeding is considered advanced because it depends on well-oxygenated, fast-flowing water and careful conditioning.
Sexing
Sexing relies on breeding condition. Mature males develop a series of noticeable tubercles on the head, along the lateral line and around the caudal peduncle, and are slimmer than females. Females are correspondingly fuller-bodied when carrying eggs.
Conditioning
In the documented commercial protocol, broodstock are conditioned on algae-enriched dried foods, live Tubifex worms and the occasional chopped earthworm. High water flow is maintained throughout conditioning, matching the species' preference for well-oxygenated, current-rich water.
Breeding Setup
Individual pairs are moved to 80-litre tanks. Tube-well water with a conductivity around 80 µS and a pH close to neutral is delivered through overhead spray bars to create strong flow and oxygenation. The species otherwise tolerates a temperature of 20-26 °C and pH 6.5-7.5.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Seasonal spawning occurs during the months of May to July. Eggs are deposited in the early morning. The combination of cooler, soft, flowing water delivered by spray bars and the rich conditioning diet acts as the spawning trigger.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are totally transparent with a diameter of approximately 1.5-1.8 mm and hatch in 24-30 hours. Fry then absorb their yolk sac for a further 72 hours. They are first fed an egg-yolk suspension, accept Artemia nauplii after roughly one week, and move onto the adult diet once they reach 15 mm or more.