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Lamta garra (Garra lamta) — Cyprinidae

Lamta garra

Garra lamta
Family: Cyprinidae

The Lamta garra (Garra lamta) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Lamta garra is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers of the Indian subcontinent and Himalayan foothills. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate body with an inferior mouth modified into a sucking disc, with which it clings to stones and rasps off algae. As a bottom-oriented grazer it lives in flowing water and eats aufwuchs, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lamta garra?

The Lamta garra has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Lamta garra live?

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

How big does the Lamta garra get?

The Lamta garra grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Lamta garra dangerous to humans?

No, the Lamta garra is harmless to humans.

Is the Lamta garra edible?

Yes, the Lamta garra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lamta-zuigbarbeel sourced
English name
Lamta garra sourced
Scientific name
Garra lamta
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Stone sucker verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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