Tank setup
A minimum 100L aquarium suits Garra Rufa. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
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Freshwater Fish
Other Community Fish
Uncommon
Garra Rufa
Garra rufa
Garra rufa
pH
7 - 8
Temperature
22° - 28 °C
Max size
14 cm
Min tank
100 L
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What to know before you buy.
The "doctor fish" of spa fame, but in an aquarium simply a hardy, busy grazer. Keep in groups with strong flow and plenty of hard surfaces to rasp; they are boisterous rather than aggressive.
Select a tank to see how this species fits.
Everything you need to keep Garra Rufa healthy in a South African setup.
A minimum 100L aquarium suits Garra Rufa. Match décor to natural behaviour — plants, rockwork, or open swimming room as needed.
Keep pH 7–8 and 22–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers — acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Garra Rufa is omnivore — biofilm, algae, prepared foods. Feed a varied diet appropriate for freshwater fish — quality flakes, pellets, or frozen foods sized to the mouth.
Garra Rufa is generally peaceful, active grazer. Observe during feeding and at lights-out for true temperament.
Pair with similarly sized peaceful, active grazer tankmates in freshwater fish. Avoid fin-nippers or species that outgrow this fish.
Breeding notes for Garra Rufa vary by line and water chemistry — ask your local shop about proven pairs in SA.
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Species that typically work alongside Garra Rufa in a similar setup.
Australian Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia splendida
Boeseman's Rainbowfish
Melanotaenia boesemani
Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Black Tiger Dario
Dario sp. ‘Myanmar’
Bluefin Killifish
Lucania goodei
Giant Gourami
Osphronemus goramy
Kissing Gourami
Helostoma temminckii
Golden Wonder Killifish
Aplocheilus lineatus