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Ethiopian garra (Garra aethiopica) — Cyprinidae

Ethiopian garra

Garra aethiopica
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ethiopian garra (Garra aethiopica) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Ethiopian garra is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from the highlands of East Africa. The species has an elongate body with an inferior mouth and, on the lower chin, a sucker disc with which it clings to stones in current. It inhabits clear, flowing streams and rivers with a rocky bottom. With its scraping mouth it rasps algae, diatoms and growth from the surface of stones. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ethiopian garra?

The Ethiopian garra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ethiopian garra live?

The Ethiopian garra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Ethiopian garra get?

The Ethiopian garra grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Ethiopian garra dangerous to humans?

No, the Ethiopian garra is harmless to humans.

Is the Ethiopian garra edible?

The Ethiopian garra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ethiopische zuigkarper sourced
English name
Ethiopian garra sourced
Scientific name
Garra aethiopica
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Garra

More from the family Cyprinidae

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