Panda Garra

The Panda Garra is a compact, energetic algae-grazing freshwater fish with bold dark-and-light banding and a constantly active personality. At the supplier's current 3–5 cm size, it is an excellent choice for mature planted aquariums, river-style setups and community tanks where good oxygenation, stable water and plenty of surfaces for biofilm grazing are available.

Glass & Gill's supplier lists this fish as “Garra rufa Panda” under SKU AE-0305. In the aquarium trade, the name Panda Garra is most commonly associated with Garra flavatra. Because the supplier does not provide a scientific identification on its listing, we are keeping the product identity conservative rather than claiming provenance that has not been supplied.

Why You’ll Love Them

• Distinctive panda-like banding and an unusual sucker-disc mouth
• Active, entertaining behaviour throughout the aquarium
• Grazes biofilm and soft algae from rocks, wood and hard surfaces
• Works well in mature planted and high-oxygen community aquariums
• Stays much smaller than many traditional algae-eating fish

Care Requirements

• Current size: 3–5 cm
• Adult size: approximately 8–9 cm
• Minimum aquarium: around 90 cm tank length preferred for adults/groups
• Temperature: 22–27°C
• pH: approximately 6.5–7.5
• Diet: omnivorous grazer; biofilm and algae should be supplemented with quality sinking foods, algae-based foods and occasional protein-rich frozen foods
• Care level: Intermediate

Behaviour & Compatibility

Panda Garras are generally peaceful community fish, but they are active and can establish a social pecking order. They are best kept in a mature aquarium with good oxygenation, strong filtration and plenty of hardscape. They can be kept with other peaceful, active community fish that appreciate similar conditions.

Good tank-mate direction: Danios, Rasboras, Barbs, peaceful loaches, Corydoras and other robust community fish with compatible temperature and water requirements.

Avoid: slow or very delicate tank mates, poorly oxygenated aquariums, immature tanks with little biofilm, and open-topped aquariums. Panda Garras are capable jumpers and climbers, so a tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended.

Aquascaping Notes

Provide smooth rocks, wood and other hard surfaces where natural biofilm can develop. Moderate-to-strong water movement, high dissolved oxygen and bright enough lighting to encourage natural grazing surfaces suit this fish especially well.

Supplier identity note: Supplier trade name is “Garra rufa Panda”. The recognised aquarium trade name Panda Garra is commonly applied to Garra flavatra, but supplier scientific identity is not provided, so we do not claim a specific locality or lineage.