Peacock-tail garra

Garra poecilura

Also known as Variegated-tail garra, Black garra

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 3.5 in (9 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Rakhine streams, western Myanmar
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

The peacock-tail garra is a bottom-dwelling grazer for a small group of three or more, kept in cool, flowing water where it works stone and wood for algae. It is mostly peaceful but can shove its own kind, so provide space and plenty of grazing surface. It suits a hill-stream community with current-hardened midwater fish and pays little attention to what swims above. Its diet is algae wafers, sinking pellets, and small frozen foods, weighted to reach the bottom. A tank of around 110 liters with brisk flow and rock surfaces keeps a group content.

In the wild

Garra poecilura lives in the hill streams of the Rakhine Yoma in western Myanmar, in clear, cool, fast-flowing water. Recreate that with strong current, a substrate of sand, gravel, and cobbles, and smooth stones and driftwood to graze. Keep it on the cool side of tropical, 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, with a pH from 6.5 to 7.5. Good oxygenation and clean water suit its upland home.

Good to know

Garra poecilura is a member of the carp family, Cyprinidae, described by Kullander and Fang in 2004 as one of seven new garras from the Rakhine Yoma of southern Myanmar. It reaches about 9 centimeters and grazes rock faces, holding position in the current with the disc beneath its mouth. Its species name means variegated tail, for the banded, patterned tail fin it can spread in display. Its aquarium breeding is not documented.

Did you know

Most garras do their signaling with head tubercles and snout displays, but this one draws the eye at the other end, spreading a boldly banded tail fin that gives it both its common and scientific names.

Tank mates

Peacock-tail garra is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.