At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Bottom-dwelling scaled minnow
A small, elongated fish with bold bands of black and yellow that vary in intensity between individuals. Its lower lip forms an adhesive disc for holding on to stones. Mature males are slimmer and grow small bumps on the head and tail base.12
Personality what they are like
Relatively peaceful with other species. Among its own kind it sorts out a pecking order, so a few individuals with space and hideouts works best.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A busy bottom forager that grazes rocks and substrate and enjoys some current.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Clean water with regular changes and good oxygen. Water: about 22-27 C, pH 6.5-7.5, hardness about 2-12 dGH.1
Home where they are happiest
A tank of at least about 90 x 30 cm base (around 80 litres) with gravel, pebbles, smooth rocks and gentle flow, like the shallow, clear streams it comes from.1
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivore. Offer sinking dried foods with vegetable content plus meaty items such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped prawn, and the odd piece of fresh vegetable.1
Company who they like around
Best kept in a group of three or four or more if space allows.1
The story where it all began
Kullander and Fang described the species in 2004, and it reached the aquarium hobby in 2005. Since 2008 it has been bred commercially in Myanmar, helping supply the trade without relying on wild fish.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It was only scientifically described in 2004, making it a recent addition to the hobby.3
- 2
Its lower lip is shaped into a sucking disc that lets it cling to stones.1
- 3
Commercial breeding began in Myanmar in 2008, helping protect wild populations.1
- 4
It is often called a loach in shops, but it is actually a member of the carp family.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Vulnerable (assessed 2010).2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Panda Garra. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Garra flavatra seriouslyfish.comused for origin, care, tank, water, diet, behaviour, description, history
- FishBase: Garra flavatra fishbase.seused for distribution, length, IUCN
- Wikipedia: Garra flavatra en.wikipedia.orgused for describers and year
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.