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
32 gal
120 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, gregarious bottom dweller that does best in a small group of three to five, where it grazes and forages together rather than living alone. It spends its time working along the floor and over rocks and wood, rasping algae and biofilm with an underslung, sucker like mouth. It mixes well with calm community fish and other active bottom feeders, though individuals can squabble briefly over feeding spots. Offer a mixed diet built around algae wafers, spirulina, and blanched vegetables, with sinking pellets and frozen foods to complete it. A tank around 120 liters or larger gives the group enough floor space.

In the wild

This fish comes from clear, fast flowing hill streams and rivers across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it clings to rocks in well oxygenated, current swept runs. It prefers cooler to moderate water of about 20–27 C and a near neutral pH of 6.5–7.5. Reproduce that setting with strong flow, a substrate of sand, gravel, and smooth stones, and plenty of water worn rock and driftwood for grazing and shelter. High oxygen levels and clean, clear water matter more to this species than heavy planting.

Good to know

Garra cambodgiensis belongs to the family Cyprinidae and grows to around 15 cm, larger than many of the algae grazing fish it is sold alongside. Members of the genus Garra have a fleshy, sucker like lower lip that lets them hold position and feed in strong current. Its breeding habits in the wild involve seasonal movement in flowing water, and there is no established record of it being reproduced in home aquaria. Most fish in the trade are wild collected or pond raised on Southeast Asian farms.

Did you know

This species is often sold as the false Siamese algae eater because it looks so much like the true Siamese algae eater, Crossocheilus oblongus. The quickest ways to tell them apart are the mouth and barbels, and the fact that the log sucker grows noticeably larger and heavier with age.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

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 32 gal (120 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.

How big does a Cambodian log sucker get?

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

Related species