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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Subtropical

Red garra

Garra rufa Heckel, 1843
Max Length
14.1 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Found in different habitats such as rivers, lakes, small ponds, and small muddy streams. Hides under and among stones and vegetation. Bottom dweller, feeding on aufwuchs. Said to also occur in hot ponds where they feed on the skin scales of bathers, reducing illnesses such as neurodermitis.

Scientific Name
Garra rufa
Authority
Heckel, 1843
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
14.1 cm
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
36.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Water Temp
15–28 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8. : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Red garra is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

algae
aquatic plants
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory. Subtropical; 15°C - 28°C

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
2
Food Items

the skin scales of bathers, reducing illnesses such as neurodermitis

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00832 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
14.1cm
Dorsal Spines
4
Dorsal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
15–28°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2013

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
36.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Heckel, 1843

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Red garra is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Red garra is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Red garra has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 18 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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