Gangetic latia
Tariqilabeo latius
Also known as Crossocheilus latius, Gangetic algae eater, Tuxedo flying fox
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–77°F (18–25°C)
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 5.9 in (15 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal (160 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages, South Asia
- Family
- Cyprinidae
Overview
The Gangetic latia is a busy bottom-dwelling grazer that does best as a small group of three to five, where it works stone and wood for algae all day. It is generally peaceful but can be pushy with its own kind and with other bottom fish, so choose tankmates with some care: sturdy, current-tolerant midwater fish such as hill barbs and danios work well, while slow or timid bottom species may be jostled. Feed algae wafers, sinking pellets, and frozen foods, making sure enough reaches the floor. A tank of around 160 liters with plenty of stone gives it room to patrol.
In the wild
This species grazes the foothill rivers of the Ganges and Brahmaputra systems across northern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, over gravel and stony beds in cool, briskly flowing water. Recreate that with a substrate of sand, pebbles, and larger stones, strong oxygenating current, and open grazing surfaces. It prefers cooler water than most tropicals, 18 to 25 degrees Celsius, with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH from 6.5 to 7.8.
Good to know
Once sold as Crossocheilus latius, this grazer now sits in the genus Tariqilabeo within the carp family, Cyprinidae. It is a herbivore that reaches around 15 centimeters, feeding on algae, diatoms, and plant matter scraped from hard surfaces. In its Himalayan range it spawns in the monsoon months, from about July to September, when high, turbid water triggers breeding. Its aquarium breeding is not documented.
Did you know
It fills the same stone-scrubbing role as the Siamese algae eater, which is no accident: it was long placed in Crossocheilus, the very genus that fish belongs to, before being moved to Tariqilabeo.
Common questions
What size tank does a Gangetic latia need?
A Gangetic latia needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Gangetic latia need?
Gangetic latia are comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.8.
How big do Gangetic latia get?
An adult Gangetic latia reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Barbs, danios & rasboras · Bottom dwellers · Coldwater fish
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