Garra Rufa Algae Eater

fish description – Garra Rufa Care Guide ($Garra\ rufa$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Garra\ rufa$
Common Name	Garra Rufa, Doctor Fish, Red Garra, Kangal Fish
Origin	River basins and thermal springs across the Middle East (Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran)
Adult Size	4–5.5 inches (10–14 cm)
Temperament	Peaceful, social, highly active, boisterous during feeding
Lifespan	5–8 years (up to 15 in optimal conditions)
Care Level	Moderate (requires specialized flow/oxygen)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This fish has an elongated, slender body typical of a minnow, a scaleless head, and a distinctive crescent-shaped mouth modified into a sucker disc. Its body is silvery-tan, often with reddish-orange fins (hence the name ‘Red Garra’).
• Coloration: Body is generally silvery or olive, with reddish-orange fins. Males are typically smaller and more slender than the plumper, fuller-bodied females. Mature males also develop small tubercles (bridal buds) on their head during the mating season.
• Fins: Proportional, often with a reddish hue. The sucker-mouth allows them to cling to surfaces in moving water.
• Behavior: Highly active, curious, and social. They should be kept in a group to prevent shyness. They are excellent scavengers, constantly grazing on hard surfaces. They are also known as skilled escape artists and jumpers.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (114 liters) is the minimum for a small group. A 55-gallon tank (4ft long) or larger is recommended to allow for adequate swimming and grazing space for a full shoal. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory.
• Schooling: Highly social; must be kept in schools of at least 6 individuals or more. Keeping a large group reduces internal aggression and encourages natural behavior.
• Temperature: Wide range tolerance, but best kept in the cooler end of tropical: $65^\circ$–$78^\circ\text{F}\ (18^\circ$–$26^\circ\text{C})$.
• pH Level: Highly adaptable: 6.5 to 8.0. They require high oxygenation and vigorous filtration/water flow to mimic their natural stream habitat.
• Aquascape: Requires a setup with strong water movement. Use smooth sand or fine gravel substrate, with plenty of rockwork, driftwood, and hardy plants (Anubias) to provide grazing surfaces, hiding spots, and visual barriers. Bright lighting encourages the growth of the algae/biofilm they feed upon.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Garra Rufa is an omnivorous grazer that primarily feeds on natural micro-organisms.

• Staple Diet: Should be fed high-quality sinking algae wafers, spirulina pellets, and vegetable-rich dry foods. They are grazers, not strictly algae eaters, so supplementation is necessary.
• Supplementation: Offer fresh, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach) regularly. They also accept meaty frozen foods: Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp.
• Schedule: Feed once or twice daily. They are boisterous feeders, so ensure slower tank mates get their share of food.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: They are generally peaceful but can be boisterous and competitive during feeding. They may become territorial toward their own kind or other bottom-dwellers if the tank is too small. Avoid slow-moving, long-finned fish, as they may occasionally nibble or try to “graze” their slime coats.
• Good Tank Mates: Active, robust, and fast-swimming species that occupy the mid-to-upper water columns. Examples include larger Barbs, Danios (Zebra), Rainbowfish, and large Loaches.