FROM: http://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/news_article.asp?id=1066
10/08/2007
Among the surprising hits in the fishkeeping hobby in recent years have been the small minnows of the genus Garra. At first glance these fish could be mistaken for the fishes of the genera Crossocheilus, Epalzeorhynchus, and Labeo, commonly known as "sharks" or "algae eaters" in the hobby. But Garra can be distinguished by their broad heads and robust lips, adaptations to a more benthic lifestyle than those other cyprinids. Whereas fish like the Siamese algae eater Crossocheilus siamensis will flit about in midwater nibbling on the algae growing on plants and other flat surfaces, Garra tend to stay close to the substrate.
The reason for the popularity of the genus is probably best explained by their relatively small size and often quite attractive colours. Most species are around 10 cm in length, making them good choices for medium-sized aquaria. On the other hand, because most species prefer temperatures a little cooler than most other tropical fish, they aren't suitable for every aquarium.
The "doctor fish"
Several species of Garra have acquired a certain degree of celebrity thanks to their use in treating skin diseases such as psoriasis. The practise of bathing in pools containing Garra started in Turkey, where the local species Garra rufa will nibble away at dead skin. Some patients have reported complete cures, though more often the primary effect is that with the removal of dead skin healthy skin can grow back. Similar spas have now opened in other parts of the world including Croatia, China, Germany, and Japan using either native species of Garra or Garra rufa imported specifically for this purpose.
Interestingly, well fed Garra show no interest in human skin at all. Only when sufficiently hungry will they approach the bathers and eat the dead skin. This observation may be of some importance to the aquaria, because Garra have sometimes nibbled at the skin of large, slow-moving fishes such as goldfish and carp. Quite possibly this behaviour only manifests itself if the aquarist is not providing enough of the foods that Garra prefer.
Geographical distribution
The genus Garra is large and very widely distributed, with almost a hundred species known from across Asia and Africa. In Asia Garra can be found from Turkey through the Middle East across to Iran, India and Southeast Asia and north into China. The African species are distributed along the eastern half of the continent with the richest diversity being centred on Ethiopia but species being known from as far south as Tanzania and the Congo River. Most of the species offered in the trade come from Southeast Asia, particularly Burma, but species from other regions turn up periodically.
Ecology
Garra are sometimes known as stone-suckers or stone-lappers, a good indication of their normal behaviour in the wild. These fish favour fast-flowing streams and rivers where they graze on the aufwuchs, the mixture of algae and tiny invertebrates encrusting stones and other solid objects. In this regard they are comparable to the hillstream loaches, family Balitoridae, though they tend to be rather larger and much more territorial.
At least one species of Garra, Garra barreimiae, has a cave-dwelling form that lacks eyes and skin pigmentation. It is found in a large cave in the Jabal Akhdar mountains, Oman.
Social behaviour and breeding
Wild Garra often form large schools, a behaviour that doesn't seem to happen in the aquarium, where individual fish are often feisty and highly territorial, chasing away members of their own species as well as any other fishes that are considered potential threats or rivals. Keeping Garra in large groups (six or more specimens) may help encourage them to get along, but failing that, these fish are usually best kept one to a tank.
Sexing Garra is difficult because few species show consistent differences in the colouration of the two sexes. However, in most cases mature males in breeding condition will develop tubercles on the head similar to those seen on goldfish. Similarly, females in breeding condition should show a rounded abdomen and altogether more robust build than otherwise.
Garra ceylonensis, Garra rufa, and a few other species have been bred in aquaria. The parents scatter a few hundred eggs among the plants, after which they should be removed because they will likely eat the eggs given the chance. The eggs hatch within a couple of days, and the fry a free swimming three or four days later. The fry are quite easy to rear and will accept algae, prepared foods, and small live foods such as infusoria.
Aquarium care
With a few exceptions, basic care is very consistent within the genus. A critical factor for most species is water temperature. These fishes inhabit relatively cool waters, and the aquarium should be maintained at a temperature somewhat lower than normal, ideally between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 F). A few species prefer even cooler conditions, most notably Garra imberba, which is perhaps best thought of as coldwater fish. As well as cool water, the oxygen concentration in the aquarium should be excellent, and this is best provided by ensuring that the tank is not overstocked and that there is plenty of water circulation. Ideally, use a filter system that has a turnover equal to six times the volume of the tank in litres (or gallons) per hour. In other words, if kept in a 30 gallon tank, use a filter providing a turnover of not less than 180 gallons per hour. Extra aeration may be useful, particularly in summer, if the temperature gets too high. This should ensure plenty of water movement as well as excellent water quality. Never keep Garra in immature aquaria as they have little tolerance for nitrite or ammonia, and perform large and regular water changes to keep the nitrate level as low as possible.
Water chemistry is of secondary importance, though neutral to slightly alkaline, moderately hard water seems to suit most species best. Highly acidic or very soft water conditions should be avoided. In terms of aquascaping, provide a nice mix of smooth rocks, bogwood, and other structures that offer both hiding places and flat surfaces for grazing. Some open sandy areas are useful, too. Garra do not harm plants. When adding Garra to a community aquarium, choose tankmates that enjoy similarly cool, fast-flowing water conditions. Good companions for Garra of similar size would include:
Bearded corydoras, Scleromystax barbatus
Peppered and bronze corydoras, Corydoras paleatus and Corydoras aeneus
Danios
Hill trout, Barilius spp.
Subtropical barbs such as torpedo, golden, and rosy barbs
White Cloud Mountain minnows
Hillstream loaches
Subtropical tetras such as bloodfin tetras, red phantom tetras, and blind cave tetras
Variatus platies and other subtropical livebearers
Diet
While sometimes sold as algae eaters, Garra are not dedicated algae eaters and need a mix of foods in the aquarium. Algae wafers of the type sold for loricariid catfish will certainly work well as a staple, but these should be supplemented with frozen bloodworms and other small invertebrates.
Garra annandalei - Annandale Garra
One of the larger species in the genus (up to 23 cm), this is a greenish-silver fish with a darker band along the midline of the fish and a small eyespot at the base of the tail. The fins are uncoloured. This fish is a typical Garra in preferences, coming from fast-flowing clean water streams where it lives among the boulders feeding on aufwuchs. Found in South Asia, this would be the ideal species for a community tank containing the larger Indian fast-water fishes such as Danio and Devario species and the hillstream trouts of the genus Barilius.
Garra cambodgiensis - False Siamese algae eater
For some years this species has been known in the hobby as Garra taeniata. Superficially very similar to the Siamese algae eater Crossocheilus siamensis, hence the common name. Unlike the true Siamese algae eater, the black band running along the body of Garra cambodgiensis terminates at the caudal peduncle and does not extend onto the tail fin itself. Garra cambodgiensis also bears red-orange markings on the lips and fins, which Crossocheilus siamensis lacks. Maximum length is about 15 cm.
Garra ceylonensis - Sri Lanka Garra
This Garra inhabits rather slow moving waters compared with other members of the genus, and does well at moderate temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees C (75 to 79 degrees F). As such, this is an excellent species for the standard community tropical aquarium. At first glance is could be mistaken for the sucking loach Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, but it is much smaller, only reaching 15 cm in length. Body colour is variable depending on mood, ranging from dark green to yellowy green with a dark band running along each flank and onto the tail fin. The fins are yellow, tinged with orange along the edges. An excellent algae eater, this species has a particular taste for diatoms.
Garra congoensis - Congo Garra
This is one of the relatively few African species in the hobby. It is a greenish-grey fish rather similar to a small (around 10 cm) African Labeo type fish. It is found throughout the lower Congo River basin, and compared with most other Garra does not need quite such cool conditions, something around 22-24 degrees C (72 to 75 F) being about right. Care is otherwise similar to other members of the genus.
Garra flavatra - Rainbow Garra
Garra flavatra is one of the nicest Garra species currently traded. At around 6 cm in length it is a fairly small example of the type, but it does sport some very attractive colours. The head and body are charcoal grey with yellow vertical bands with red patches on the fins.
Garra imberba - Pingi Garra
More widely known in the hobby by an obsolete name, Garra pingi, this coldwater member of the genus comes from China and reaches a length of up to 22 cm. It is sometimes sold as a tropical fish but it will not prosper under such conditions, though it can be kept in a subtropical aquarium without problems. Ideally, keep the temperature at or below 20 degrees C (68 F). Basic colour is silvery-green with a few dark patches on the flanks.
Garra rufa - Doctor Garra
This is the Garra species used in the health spas in Turkey and elsewhere. Its natural range spans much of Western Asia, from Israel to Iran. As this would suggest, it is among the more adaptable members of the genus and tolerates a very broad range of temperatures from 15 to 28 degrees C. It also inhabits a variety of water bodies including ponds, lakes and rivers and unlike most other Garra doesn't seem to object to muddy conditions either. As such, it is one of the few species that could be recommended for inclusion in a standard tropical aquarium. The only downside is its relatively plain colouration compared with some of the other Garra, basically silvery-green with pinkish fins. Maximum length is about 14 cm.
