Edit Garra flavatra

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Name

Scientific name

Garra flavatra

Described by

Authority Kullander & Fang, Year 2004

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Panda Garra

Photograph credits

All 14 credited

Summary

The panda garra (Garra flavatra) is a stream-dwelling cyprinid endemic to the Rakhine Yoma, or Arakan, mountain range in western Myanmar. I…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

90mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–27°C, pH 6.5–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Myanmar, Baw Di Chaung, Kamyit Chaung, Kananmae Chaung, Kyar Chaung, Thandwe

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

Endemic to the Rakhine Yoma/Arakan mountain range in Rakhine state, western Myanmar, which forms a natural barrier cutting off the state from the remainder of …

Habitat

The type locality is a shallow (~ 30 cm deep) section of the stream running close to the village of Leldee through what is described as 'low forest'. At time o…

The type locality is a shallow (~ 30 cm12 in deep) section of the stream running close to the village of Leldee through what is described as 'low forest'. At time of collection it was around 3 metres wide and the substrate composed of a mixture of gravel, pebbles and rocks over which flowed clear, transparent water. This was moving quite slowly resulting in the formation of a number of small pools within which the fish were found.

Sympatric species included Rasbora daniconius, R. rasbora, Aplocheilus panchax, Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei, Batasio elongatus, Olyra burmanica, Pterocryptis cf. berdmorei and Sicyopterus fasciatus along with unspecified members of Danio, Devario, Rasbora, Pangio, Channa, Mastacembelus and Anguilla. Garra vittatula, described in the same paper, was also found here although only two specimens were collected compared with 29 of G. flavatra.

In the Kamyit Chaung river it was collected alongside Opsarius barna, Rasbora daniconius, R. rasbora, Aplocheilus panchax, Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei, Batasio elongatus, Awaous personatus, Sicyopterus punctatus plus unidentified Danio, Eleotris, Redigobius, Mastacembelus and Microphis species as well as G. propulvinus, another previously unknown congener.

The river is described as 'moderately large' and was again very shallow, the fishes being restricted to a series of shallow pools containing clear, slow-moving to stagnant water. The substrate was again a mixture of gravel, pebbles and rocks and no aquatic plants were observed.

The Baw Di Chaung is the third locality covered in the paper. It flows between forested hills and again the water level was very low, forming a series of riffles and pools with a maximum depth of around 1.5m. The water was totally clear and in some sections flowed with moderate current, in others very slowly. Substrate was predominantly rocks and stones interspersed with open patches of sand.

G. flavatra was apparently found in considerable numbers here but the structure of the substrate made collection difficult and only five specimens were recovered. Other fish recorded were Batasio elongatus, Awaous personatus, Sicyopterus punctatus and Xenentodon cancila along with unidentified Parambassis, Hara, Schistura, Pangio, Channa and Mastacembelus spp. G. propulvinus was again present.

While it may be surprising to learn that this species was not found in oxygenated running water, it is important to note that the streams it inhabits are seasonal in nature; Rakhine is located within a tropical monsoon region and has a pronounced rainy season between May and October, while at other times it can be quite dry. The streams thus swell in depth by a metre or more and flow much more rapidly during the wet season.

Collection of fishes for both scientific and commercial purposes is normally conducted during the dryer months in monsoon-affected areas due to difficulties encountered during times of high water levels and/or poor weather. Despite such annual habitat variations this should still be considered a current-loving fish.

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My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base measurements of 90 ∗ 30 cm should be the smallest considered.

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

Temperature: Normally said to prefer cooler conditions but temperatures in its native streams have been recorded between 22 – 27 °C during warmer months of the…

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

Relatively peaceful and makes a good subject for the well-chosen, larger community of stream-dwelling Indochinese species. It isn't particularly tolerant of co…

Sexual dimorphism

Sexually mature males develop a series of noticeable tubercules on the head, along the lateral line and around the caudal peduncle, and tend to be slimmer in t…

Reproduction

Has been successfully and repeatedly bred at Hein Aquarium, an ornamental fish export firm based in Yangon, Myanmar. The company have been producing the specie…

Notes

G. flavatra first became available to the aquarium hobby in 2005 and became popular almost immediately. It's traded under various names including 'panda', 'clo…

References

6 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References