The Panda Garra (Garra flavatra), often called the panda fish or garra panda, is a striking freshwater species loved for its playful behavior, bold black-and-gold “panda” markings, and algae-eating ability. Unlike typical algae eaters, the panda garra fish is highly interactive, energetic, and full of personality, making it a favorite choice for both aquascaped and community tanks. Native to fast-flowing streams in Myanmar, the garra fish is built for active life, with a specialized sucker mouth that allows it to cling to rocks and graze on algae. The panda garra is among the most sought-after varieties, thanks to its panda-like color pattern and social nature. These fish thrive in well-oxygenated tanks with rocks, driftwood, and live plants, where they can forage and explore. The panda garra size ranges from 3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm) in captivity, making them compact enough for mid-sized aquariums while still being active and noticeable. Their golden body with black vertical bands gives them a panda-like look, while their streamlined shape and sucker-like mouth highlight their adaptability as bottom grazers. Panda garras are peaceful but active fish that do best in groups of 3 or more, where they interact socially and display natural foraging behaviors. While they may chase each other in playful displays, they are not aggressive. Ideal panda garra tank mates include Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Barbs, Corydoras, Loaches, and other non-aggressive species. Avoid housing them with very large or overly territorial fish. At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Panda Garra for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH: Distinctive black-and-gold “panda” patterning Grows to 3.5–4 inches which is ideal for mid-sized aquariums Active algae grazer and natural bottom cleaner Peaceful, social fish so best kept in small groups Hardy and beginner-friendly freshwater species RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a small group Temperature: 72°–80°F (22°–27°C) pH: 6.5–7.5 Hardness: 5–15 dGH Filtration: Strong filtration with good oxygenation and moderate water flow CARE GUIDELINES: Diet: Omnivorous with a preference for algae. Feed a mix of sinking wafers, algae tablets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, spinach, cucumber), and occasional protein foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. Tank Setup: Provide rocks, driftwood, and live plants for grazing and hiding. They thrive in aquariums with high oxygenation and stable water quality. Behavior: Active, social, and playful bottom-dwellers. Keep in groups for natural interaction. Tankmates: Best with peaceful schooling fish and bottom dwellers. Avoid large, aggressive, or predatory species. Panda Garra Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How big do Panda Garra full size get? The Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) grows to a full size of about 3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm) in home aquariums. Their compact size makes them an excellent choice for medium-sized community tanks while still being large enough to stand out as active, playful bottom dwellers. What is the Panda Garra lifespan? With proper care, the Panda Garra fish has a lifespan of 5–6 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Clean, oxygen-rich water, a balanced diet of algae wafers, vegetables, and protein foods, along with peaceful tankmates, will help them thrive and live to their full potential. How many Panda Garra should I keep together? It is best to keep Panda Garras in small groups of at least 3–5 individuals. They are social fish that enjoy interaction with their own kind, and keeping them in groups reduces stress, encourages natural foraging behavior, and makes them more active and entertaining to watch. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How big do Panda Garra full size get?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Panda Garra (Garra flavatra) grows to a full size of about 3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm) in home aquariums. Their compact size makes them an excellent choice for medium-sized community tanks while still being large enough to stand out as active, playful bottom dwellers." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Panda Garra lifespan?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "With proper care, the Panda Garra fish has a lifespan of 5–6 years in a well-maintained aquarium. Clean, oxygen-rich water, a balanced diet of algae wafers, vegetables, and protein foods, along with peaceful tankmates, will help them thrive and live to their full potential." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How many Panda Garra should I keep together?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It is best to keep Panda Garras in small groups of at least 3–5 individuals. They are social fish that enjoy interaction with their own kind, and keeping them in groups reduces stress, encourages natural foraging behavior, and makes them more active and entertaining to watch." } }] }
