TankBud

Cambodian log sucker

Garra cambodgiensis

Also known as false Siamese algae eater

FreshwaterFish

Cambodian log sucker (Garra cambodgiensis)
Julian Matz (talk). Original uploader was Jmatz at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–81°F
20–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
63 gal
240 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam

Overview

The Cambodian log sucker is a peaceful bottom grazer for a large, fast-flowing tank with rocks and wood. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Cambodian log sucker is often sold as the false Siamese algae eater. It looks very much like the true Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus oblongus. The quickest ways to tell them apart are the mouth and barbels, and the log sucker grows noticeably larger and heavier with age.

Caring for the Cambodian log sucker

Keep Cambodian log suckers in a small group of three to five. A tank of 63 gal (240 L) or larger gives the group enough floor space. Use a substrate of sand, gravel and smooth stones, with plenty of water-worn rock and driftwood for grazing and shelter.

Give them strong flow, high oxygen and clean, clear water, which matter more to them than heavy planting. They prefer cooler to moderate water, at 68 to 81°F (20 to 27°C), with a near-neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

They spend their time working along the floor and over rocks and wood, rasping algae and biofilm. Offer a mixed diet built around algae wafers, spirulina and blanched vegetables, with sinking pellets and frozen foods to complete it.

Cambodian log suckers are peaceful and gregarious, and they graze and forage together rather than living alone. They mix well with calm community fish and other active bottom feeders, though individuals can squabble briefly over feeding spots. In the wild their breeding involves seasonal movement in flowing water. There is no established record of them breeding in home aquariums.

Good to know

Garra cambodgiensis belongs to the family Cyprinidae. Members of the genus Garra have a fleshy, sucker-like lower lip that lets them hold position and feed in strong current. Most fish in the trade are wild collected or pond raised on Southeast Asian farms.

In the wild

The Cambodian log sucker comes from clear, fast-flowing hill streams and rivers across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It clings to rocks in well-oxygenated, current-swept runs.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Cambodian log sucker is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Cambodian log sucker need?

A Cambodian log sucker needs at least 63 gal (240 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Cambodian log sucker need?

A Cambodian log sucker is comfortable at 68–81°F (20–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Cambodian log sucker eat?

A Cambodian log sucker rasps algae and biofilm from rocks and wood. Feed it a mixed diet built around algae wafers, spirulina and blanched vegetables, plus sinking pellets and frozen foods.

How big does a Cambodian log sucker get?

An adult Cambodian log sucker reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a Cambodian log sucker breed?

The Cambodian log sucker's breeding in the wild involves seasonal movement in flowing water. There is no established record of it breeding in home aquariums.

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