All fish / Cyprinidae

Spotted-tail Garra

Garra poecilura

Also known as garra poecilura, spot tail garra, variegated tail garra, stone lapping fish, myanmar garra

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This small labeonine cyprinid from fast hill streams in southern Myanmar has a slim body with a flattened belly and a sucking disc under the mouth. Its name refers to the patterned, spotted tail fin. Specialist keepers value it as an active grazer for stream-style tanks with stones and strong flow.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: biofilm and algae, sinking pellets and wafers, blanched vegetables, frozen bloodworm and daphnia

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Myanmar (Tanintharyi river drainages)

Breeding

No captive breeding has been documented. Like other Garra it is probably an egg-scattering species that gives no parental care.

Good to know

It is rarely seen in the trade and may be sold mixed with other Garra species, so check identification. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, needs clean, well-oxygenated water with strong flow, and may squabble with its own kind over territory.