All fish / Cyprinidae

Red Nose Garra

Garra nasuta

Also known as nose garra, red nose garra, proboscis garra, garra, indian algae eater, snout garra, ガラ・ナスタ, 长吻墨头鱼

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A slender, sucker-mouthed stream cyprinid with a dark lateral stripe and, in adult males, a bulbous orange or reddish snout covered in tubercles. It is kept for its unusual looks and its habit of grazing biofilm off rocks and glass in hill-stream style tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more, or keep singly to avoid squabbles

Diet

Omnivore: biofilm and algae, sinking pellets and wafers, blanched vegetables, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

6 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Northeast India, Myanmar, Yunnan (China), Laos and Thailand; upland streams of the Mekong, Salween and Irrawaddy basins

Breeding

Spawning in home aquariums has rarely been reported and little is known about it; trade specimens are almost all wild caught. Mature males develop the swollen proboscis and tubercles, which helps with sexing.

Good to know

Needs strong flow, high oxygen and cooler water than most tropicals; it can be territorial with other bottom dwellers. Several similar Garra species are sold under the same name.