Panda Garra is a flamboyant tropical sucker-mouth loach for freshwater aquarium. Like its namesake the panda, the Panda Garra features broad, blinking bands of light and dark coloration. Its unique markings are decorated with diamond-shaped scale patterns and hints of red coloration in its fins. Due to its extraordinary markings and peaceful nature, the Panda Garra makes a great addition to well-filtered aquariums 30 gallons and larger.
Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) generally peaceful in the aquarium, although when kept singly some specimens may become territorial towards similar-looking species such as Crossocheilus or balitorid loaches. In a group they tend to concentrate on each other with dominance battles involving fin flaring, charging and a paling of the body coloration. However, physical damage rates from is rare to non-existent and, provided its tank mates are chosen with care, this Cyprinidae is ideal for a hill stream-style community.
In their natural habitat, the "Garra flavatra" inhabits well-oxygenated, fast-flowing streams. The addition of a powerhead or the use of a slightly oversized filter media will increase the aquarium filtration and water movement to help recreate natural conditions. While its sucker-like mouth may suggest the Panda Garra is a scavenger or algae eater, it is important not to restrict its diet solely on available algae or food debris. Panda Garras are omnivorous and their diet must consist of prepared algae flake food or algae tablets as well as frozen or freeze-dried foods. The infrequent addition of bloodworms or tubifex worms provides a nutritionally balanced and varied diet.
