All fish / Cyprinidae

Spotted Garra

Garra spilota

Also known as red fin garra, rakhine garra, arakan garra, garra sp. spilota, ガラ・スピロタ

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

This is a small, slim algae-grazing cyprinid. It has a row of dark blotches along its sides and reddish fins, which make it one of the more attractive garras. Keepers like it for its busy grazing habits and its suitability for hill-stream style tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 3 to 4 or more

Diet

Omnivore: biofilm and algae, sinking pellets, small frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Rakhine Yoma (Arakan) mountain streams, western Myanmar

Breeding

It scatters its eggs and gives no parental care. Captive spawning is rarely reported and is generally thought to be difficult.

Good to know

It needs cool, well-oxygenated water with a strong current and a tight-fitting lid. It may squabble mildly with other bottom grazers over territory.