Cambodian Garra

Adult Cambodian garras reach 12 to 15 cm in length. In appearance they resemble the Siamese algae eater, which inhabits the same region. The body is marked with a broad black stripe running from head to tail, bordered above by a golden line. The back is grey and the belly silvery. Sexual dimorphism is weak; the most obvious differences appear during spawning, when males develop small but numerous bumps on the head and reddish pigmentation around the mouth.

The Cambodian garra comes from Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. Its natural habitat is the Mekong River basin, one of the region's largest rivers. It is found in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, preferring the fast-flowing upper reaches. The water here is clear and oxygen-rich, with a substrate of stones and boulders.

This fish has a peaceful temperament when kept with its own kind. If kept singly, it may become aggressive toward other tank inhabitants. A group of 3–4 is advisable; Cambodian garras will not form a school but will stay separate.

For a group of 3–4 fish, a tank of at least 250 litres is optimal. Aquascaping should recreate a mountain river environment, using a substrate of stones, sand and fine gravel. A few pieces of driftwood with attached plants that grow on wood, such as Anubias, Bolbitis or Java moss, can be added. For long-term keeping of the Cambodian garra, strong water flow is critical, as are high water quality and adequate dissolved oxygen. An efficient filtration system will help. Water flow should be around 10 tank volumes per hour—so in a 250-litre tank, the filter should turn over 2500 litres per hour. Bright lighting promotes algae growth on rock surfaces, providing additional food.

In nature, the Cambodian garra feeds on algae coating the surface of boulders. In the aquarium, the diet can be based on spirulina-based foods and fresh vegetables such as cucumber, courgette or melon. This is not exclusively a plant-eater; protein foods such as bloodworm, shrimp pieces and dried granulated foods must also be offered.

Successful breeding in home aquariums appears extremely unlikely. In captivity, spawning has been induced only with hormone stimulation. The incubation period was found to be 15–16 hours at 25–29°C, with fry survival in the first month exceeding 90%.

Most health problems in these fish are usually caused by unsuitable keeping conditions and poor-quality food. When signs of illness first appear, the priority is to check water parameters and measure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. Bring these into normal range before attempting any treatment.

When buying, choose active individuals with clean skin, free of visible damage, ulcers or spots. Avoid fish showing signs of emaciation, sunken bellies or abnormal behaviour such as lethargy or constant floating at the surface. Since this is a territorial species, assess the store conditions beforehand and check that fish are not overly aggressive toward each other in crowded tanks. A healthy specimen should show interest in its surroundings and actively explore the substrate or decorations, which is typical natural behaviour. Note that albino forms may be more sensitive to water quality, so check the store tank parameters before purchase. Avoid buying fish that look frightened or have damaged fins, as this may indicate stress or poor transport conditions.