Interesting Observation on Panda Garra

[SubRosa]

I maintain a 40 BR in my essentially unheated laundry room for my Orange Spot Sunfish and space considerations over the summer caused me to add a couple of Panda Garras, Garra flavatra. I've been keeping an eye on water temps each morning and observed a few days ago that at 59 F the Garras show normal activity levels and response to food. Each day since the temp has dropped a bit further with decreasing activity levels. Finally today at 52 F they're inactive and show no response to food. I expect water temps to drop even a bit further as the winter progresses so I guess they have to go into the living room tank.

 

[platytudes]

So you think 60 or so is their lower preferred temperature range? I really want to do a subtropical tank one day...my inspiration started when I read this article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/subtroptks.htm

My only objection is to the recommendation of mosquitofish. Ugh, hate those buggers!

Garras are still unheard of here in my neck of the woods. Not really surprising, since I am the one who informed two of my LFSs about the existence of Tanganyikan shellies! *sigh*

 

[happypoet]

I just got four Panda Garra. I'm expanding my little river tank to a 55, and they'll go in there. Very active and entertaining little fish.

 

[SubRosa]

From what I can find out they live in streams that experience significant cooling from snow melt. I don't think it's their optimum temp range, but it certainly shows that unless you live in an igloo you don't need to heat their tank! I'm also hoping that warming them back up will initiate spawning as it often does in NA natives.

 

[happypoet]

That's a good idea. Have you read about how they get spawned commercially at Hein Aquarium? There's an article somewhere out there about it. I think their seriouslyfish profile goes into it as well.

 

[SubRosa]

Hadn't heard about that although I have started seeing farmed juveniles recently. Thanks for the heads up Aaron!

 

[fishorama]

It's cool you kept track of their temp/activity, I wouldn't have guessed they'd like it so low. I loved my garras & plan to have them again. Watch out Aaron, mine like to climb the glass into the powerhead flow during water changes. Not a good choice for a rimless tank, I think they'd have kept on climbing right on out.

 

[happypoet]

Thanks for the heads-up! I'll keep them tightly-covered.

 

[Belltrain]

So you think 60 or so is their lower preferred temperature range? I really want to do a subtropical tank one day...my inspiration started when I read this article:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/subtroptks.htm

My only objection is to the recommendation of mosquitofish. Ugh, hate those buggers!

Garras are still unheard of here in my neck of the woods. Not really surprising, since I am the one who informed two of my LFSs about the existence of Tanganyikan shellies! *sigh*

I love my sub-tropical tank.