Edit Garra bicornuta
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Name
Scientific name
Garra bicornuta
Described by
Authority Narayan Rao, Year 1920
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Rhino Garra
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The rhino garra, Garra bicornuta, is a cyprinid from the Tunga River in the upper Krishna drainage, Karnataka, southern India. No other Gar…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
150mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–27°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India, Krishna, Tunga
Writing
Etymology
Garra: vernacular Gangetic name for a particular species of “sand-digger,” which Francis Buchanan-Hamilton applied as a generic name for bottom-dwelling cyprin…
Distribution
Native to southern India with the type series originating from the 'Tunga River at Shimoga in Karnataka' (previously Mysore) state. The Tunga is part of the Up…
Habitat
Southern India is heavily affected by the summer monsoons meaning that many, possibly all, of the species' habitats are subjected to subject to seasonal variat…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base measurements of 120 ∗ 45 cm should be the minimum size considered for even a single specimen.
Maintenance
Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, but a display arranged to resemble a flowing stream or river, with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Although it will graze algae if available this species is not an exclusive herbivore. Offer meaty foods such as live or frozen chironomid larvae (bloodworm), T…
Behaviour and compatibility
Can be territorial at times, especially when food is added to the aquarium, and will often actively pursue other fishes straying into the vicinity. This behavi…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature males possess prominent tubercles on the head and snout, and the secondary rostrum (see 'Notes') is more pronounced than in females.
Reproduction
The reproductive biology of Garra spp. is poorly-studied and captive breeding of any species a rare occurrence. A 2005 study of G. gotyla in Nepal concluded th…
Notes
This species is among the more colourful members of the genus and is also traded as 'Tunga garra', 'lionhead garra', Garra sp. 'rhinoceros' and 'doctor fish' (…
References
References
7 on this profile