Experience with panda garra?

[sora1600]

Anyone have experience with panda garra (garra flavatra)? I'm looking to get them if I get a bigger tank but have heard they are a nightmare once they get older, to each other and their tankmates.

[fishorama]

I had panda garras, neat fish! I had 4 but lost 3 in the first 3-5 months,some kind of dropsy thing. There was some chasing each other but nothing damaging (I think it may be garra ruffa? that are crabby). Very people interactive, the 1 I had for a couple years would sometimes nibble my hand & always came to see what I was doing in his fish room. Check out loaches.com, some people have had them breed. Definately a fish I want to keep again, I had them with botia histrionica.

[sora1600]

Yep, I looked on loaches.com but members don't really post there...
I may put them in my hillstream tank but not sure yet as I'm looking for other river fishes that are in the 3 to 4 inch range when grown that won't beat up my loaches.

[happypoet]

I haven't owned them, but have looked into them quite a bit. I think they're actually supposed to be pretty mellow. Some of the other Garras are reputed to be nasty when mature, but not the Pandas. My LFS got some last week, but sold out before I could get a look at them! If they get more, I might consider. I'm pretty maxed-out stocking wise, but, well, I can always do more water changes :)

[fishorama]

:topic:Hey Aaron! haven't seen you for a while. How are the gobies doing? I need an update please, but not in sora's thread, lol.

[happypoet]

Will do soon, I promise! Been hectic lately. All fishies are doing great. Now how 'bout them Panda Garras? I'm interested in more replies as well! :)

[sora1600]

Yea, I read that some owners had a problem with their garra group while others said they were ok together. I just don't want the other loaches killed off and end up with only garras.

[fishorama]

I don't live that far...If you run into problems....Always up for some garras...awesome fish...

[sora1600]

Haha, true but my PO doesn't ship fish unless I drive 45 min. to the downtown one. I do have a friend who goes to SF every weekend though...
I think I will try them out. Get them young and raise with the loaches.

[f1sleepy]

I realize this thread is a bit old, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. I have several different species of hillstream loaches in my tank with a breeding pair of Garra Flavatra and have had zero issues. The Garra are not aggressive toward any other fish in the tank at all. Don't hesitate to add them to your tank!

[SubRosa]

You certainly don't need a heater for them. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?257601-Interesting-Observation-on-Panda-Garra