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Oriental garra (Garra orientalis) — Cyprinidae

Oriental garra

Garra orientalis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Oriental garra (Garra orientalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Oriental garra is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of southern China and adjacent Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown body with a suctorial mouth disc underneath with which it clings to stones and rasps off algae and biofilm. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear mountain streams and rivers. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oriental garra?

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

Where does the Oriental garra live?

The Oriental garra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Oriental garra get?

The Oriental garra grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Oriental garra dangerous to humans?

No, the Oriental garra is harmless to humans.

Is the Oriental garra edible?

Yes, the Oriental garra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oosterse zuigbarbeel sourced
English name
Oriental garra sourced
Scientific name
Garra orientalis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.8 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
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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