Fin's Fish Guide
The Dembea garra (Garra dembeensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.
Fresh water of East and North-East Africa (including the Nile and Horn regions), in clear, flowing, rocky rivers and streams.
Description
The Dembea garra is a slender cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 11 cm. Characteristic is the inferior mouth, modified into a sucker disc with a horny edge, with which the fish clings to stones in strong current while scraping off growth. The brown body bears barbels and is streamlined for life in fast water. The species comes from clear, rocky rivers and streams of East and Northeast Africa, including the Nile region. As a plant-eater it scrapes algae, growth and detritus off the stones, giving it a role in keeping the stony substrate clean. In the rainy season it spawns. Through its life in current it is adapted to living against the flow.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Dembea garra?
The Dembea garra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Slender cyprinid with an inferior sucker-disc mouth with which it holds on to stones and scrapes off biofilm in the current.
Where does the Dembea garra live?
The Dembea garra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Fresh water of East and North-East Africa (including the Nile and Horn regions), in clear, flowing, rocky rivers and streams.
How big does the Dembea garra get?
The Dembea garra grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.
Is the Dembea garra dangerous to humans?
No, the Dembea garra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Dembea garra edible?
The Dembea garra is rarely eaten.
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Status & sources
Same genus Garra
More from the family Cyprinidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dembea garra is one of 12,519 species in the app.