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Garra (Garra quadrimaculata) — Cyprinidae

Garra

Garra quadrimaculata
Family: Cyprinidae

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

Length
10.7 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 garra is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from the fresh waters of Africa and southwestern Asia. The species has an elongate body with an inferior mouth modified into a sucking disc, with which it clings to stones in flowing water. It inhabits fast-flowing, clear mountain streams and rivers with a rocky bottom. On and among the stones it rasps algae, diatoms and growth with its sucker mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Garra?

The Garra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Garra live?

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

How big does the Garra get?

The Garra grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Garra dangerous to humans?

No, the Garra is harmless to humans.

Is the Garra edible?

The Garra is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Viervlek-garra sourced
English name
Garra sourced
Scientific name
Garra quadrimaculata
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No 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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