Panda Garra

Garra flavatra

Cyprinidae

The Panda Garra is a strikingly patterned hillstream fish native to fast-flowing, oxygen-rich rivers in Myanmar. It uses a specialized adhesive disc to grip rocks in strong currents, making it an effective algae grazer and an eye-catching addition to well-maintained aquariums. Best kept in groups, it displays interesting social behavior and thrives in clean, highly oxygenated water with moderate to strong flow.

Keeping this species

diet: Omnivore — primarily biofilm, algae, and aufwuchs; supplement with sinking algae wafers, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach), and occasional protein-rich foods such as frozen bloodworm or daphnia
lifespan: 5–8 years
swimZone: bottom
temperament: Peaceful; mildly territorial toward conspecifics but rarely causes injury — groups of 4+ diffuse aggression effectively
compatibility: Compatible with similarly sized peaceful fish that prefer clean, fast-flowing water (e.g., Devario, hillstream loaches, danios, smaller rasboras). Avoid large aggressive species or very slow-water fish. Can be kept with other Garra species in larger tanks.
minSchoolSize: 4