All fish / Cyprinidae

Gangetic latia

Tariqilabeo latius

Also known as gangetic latia, stone roller, crossocheilus latius, tariqilabeo latius, indian algae eater, latia

A slim, torpedo-like cyprinid with a downturned sucking mouth, greyish brown back and a dark stripe along the side. It comes from fast, clear, stony hill streams and is kept as an active algae and biofilm grazer for cool, well-oxygenated river-style tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: grazes biofilm and algae; also sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables and small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Himalayan foothill rivers of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra basins (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh)

Breeding

It scatters eggs over gravel in flowing water during the monsoon season. Captive breeding in home aquariums has rarely been reported, so nearly all fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs strong flow, high oxygen and cooler water than most tropical fish, and does poorly in warm, still tanks. It can be confused with Siamese algae eaters and other Crossocheilus or Garra species sold under similar names.