HomeFreshwater aquarium fishSharks & algae eatersGarra imberba Garra imberba Scientific name: Garra imberba Garman, 1912 Garra imberba is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows to about 12 cm (4.7 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 12–25°C (54–77°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.2. Native range: ASIA; China. Garra imberba care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankExcellentAdult size12 cm (4.7 in)Minimum tank75 L (20 US gal)Temperature12–25°C (54–77°F)pH6.5–7.2Hardness5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. BiologyDorsal soft rays (total): 10-14; Anal soft rays: 7 - 8. Diagnosed from the species of Garra in the Yuanjiang drainage in Yunnan Province by the combination of the following characters: no barbels; 46-52 lateral line scales; 16 circumpeduncular scales; pharyngeal teeth in 3 rows, 2.4.5-5.4.2; snout rounded, no secondary rostrum, no longitudinal groove in front of nostrils; anus close to pelvic-fin base.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameGarra imberbaFamilyCyprinidae (Minnows or carps)OrderCypriniformes (Carps)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length22.0EnvironmentFreshwater; benthopelagicClimateSubtropicalDistributionAsia: China.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More sharks & algae eatersRedeye labeoLabeo cylindricusHoven's carpLeptobarbus hoeveniiLuciosoma pellegriniiLuciosoma setigerumChinese suckerMyxocyprinus asiaticusBlack sharkminnowLabeo chrysophekadionSee all sharks & algae eaters SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026